HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11- Camping OrdinanceAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 4/17/2023
Meeting Type: Work Session/Reg. Mtg
Staff Contact/Dept.: Mary Bridget Smith/CAO
Staff Phone No: 541-744-4061
Estimated Time: 20 Minutes
SPRINGFIELD Council Goals: Mandate
CITY COUNCIL
ITEM TITLE: CAMPING ORDINANCE
ACTION Conduct Public Hearing and First Reading of amendments to SMC 5.130
REQUESTED: Prohibited Camping
ISSUE The City's camping ordinance is out of compliance with HB 3115 and recent
STATEMENT: federal court rulings and must be repealed or revised to include reasonable time,
place, and manner restrictions by July 1, 2023.
ATTACHMENTS: 1: Council Briefing Memorandum
2: Draft Code
3: Draft Ordinance
4: Public Input
5: PowerPoint Presentation
DISCUSSION/ The purpose of this item is to conduct a public hearing and first reading of the
FINANCIAL ordinance repealing and replacing SMC 5.130 to be compliant with HB 3115 which
IMPACT: requires objectively reasonable regulations for sitting, lying, sleeping, or keeping
warm and dry outdoors on public property. To fulfill this requirement, the Council
analyzed the applicable legal rulings and statutes, evaluated the City's prohibited
camping enforcement data over the past year, took in public feedback and
compared camping regulations in other jurisdictions.
Process: The Council has three choices after the public hearing and first reading: 1)
the Council may direct staff to bring the ordinance and draft code back for
adoption; 2) the Council may direct staff to make changes to the draft code that are
consistent with their discussion; 3) the Council could also decide to schedule an
additional public hearing and/or continue their deliberations until a subsequent
Council meeting.
Public Feedback: A significant part of this project also included obtaining
community feedback. The City facilitated and obtained public comment in several
ways. These methods include the public hearing, a paper survey left at Ebbert
United Methodist Church for meal guests, emails sent directly to the City Attorney
email address, intentional reach out to stakeholders, and an online survey. The
online survey is still open and staff is asking for direction to close the survey on
Friday, April 21, 2023.
Draft Code: The draft code takes a narrow, reasonable approach to addressing
sheltering outside. It does not address sheltering in vehicles because those are
regulated differently.
MEMORANDUM City of Springfield
Date: 4/17/2023
To: Nancy Newton, City Manager COUNCIL
From: Mary Bridget Smith, City Attorney BRIEFING
Subject: CAMPING ORDINANCE MEMORANDUM
ISSUE: The City's camping ordinance is out of compliance with HB 3115 and recent federal
court rulings and must be repealed or revised to include reasonable time, place, and manner
restrictions by July 1, 2023.
COUNCIL GOALS/
MANDATE:
Council Goals: Mandate
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this memo is to outline the Council's procedural steps for repealing and
replacing the City's camping code and discuss various provisions in the draft code and the
public feedback.
Process: The Council is scheduled to conduct a first reading and public hearing for the repeal
and replacement of the City's camping code as per HB 3115. Changes to the municipal code
require the Council to vote and adopt an ordinance after its title has been read twice at a regular
meeting. After conducting the first reading and public hearing, the Council has three options: 1)
direct staff to bring this version of the ordinance and draft code back for adoption; 2) direct staff
to make changes to the draft code that are consistent with its discussion. In that situation, the
ordinance and draft code will be subject to an additional reading and deliberation before
adoption because the substance of the draft code will have been changed; and 3) the Council
could also decide to schedule an additional public hearing and/or continue their deliberations
until a subsequent Council meeting. A placeholder is currently scheduled for the May 1, 2023,
regular meeting.
Public Feedback: In addition to the public hearing, the City received feedback through an online
survey, providing hard copies of a survey at Ebbert United Methodist Church during their meal
times, having a computer kiosk at the Springfield Public Library available for people without
computer access to take the online survey and amplifying the City's intent to receive feedback
through an intentional reach out to stakeholders and providing an email address for people to
provide additional comment.
This is the first time the City has used this type of online survey to obtain public feedback. The
survey was intended to provide a modern way for the public to provide their feedback, but it is
only one method and not meant to collect data like a poll for a ballot measure. Staff also
received helpful feedback from the community about the survey format and questions. For
example, using a term like `concerned' is most likely too ambiguous and the question about the
24-hour time limit was confusing. Those suggestions are appreciated and will be incorporated
into future City surveys.
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 3
MEMORANDUM 4/17/2023 Page 2
The survey is currently open because more people may supply comment after the public hearing.
Since the survey is still open, the attachment summarizing public comment is a snapshot of the
survey results, input from the paper surveys filled out at Ebbert United Methodist Church and
emails sent directly to the City. Staff is asking Council to provide direction about closing the
survey on a date certain and recommends Friday, April 21, 2023.
Draft Code: The draft code is specific to regulating situations where a person must shelter on
public property and as such is only one part of the City's overall approach to addressing
homelessness. It does not address trespass on private property or regulating parked vehicles.
Staff requests that the Council direct staff to evaluate parking as it relates to persons
experiencing homelessness after replacing the camping ordinance because this kind of parking is
already regulated elsewhere in the code and the property interests in vehicles is different than
camping materials like a tent.
An important preliminary issue to understand when looking at the draft code is the meaning of
the phrase "property open to the public" under HB 3115. The law states that public property is
defined as "public lands, premises and buildings including, but not limited to, any building used
in connection with the transaction of public business, or any lands, premises or buildings owned
or leased by this state or any political subdivision therein" (ORS 131.705). The term open to the
public means that the draft camping code does not apply to public property like Booth Kelly or
the Depot that is rented to a private tenant, but it would include public land like City Hall, right
of way, parking lots and paths.
This draft code takes a narrow, but reasonable approach to sheltering on public property. Part of
the objective is to avoid the creation of large, unmanaged camps that could subject the City to
liability under the state created danger doctrine and result in unsuitable conditions for the
community that are difficult if not impossible to address.
Time Restrictions
This element is related to limiting the amount of time someone can camp in one place. The 24-
hour time limit and definition established campsite are meant to define the amount of time that
would trigger the camp clean up notice and property storage requirements under ORS 195.505.
Some jurisdictions have additional regulations about moving their camp a certain distance every
24 hours or not allowing three or more camps to occur on one block area. The drawback with
these two provisions is that they would be difficult to track and enforce.
Place Restrictions
The draft code prohibits camping in residentially zoned areas in addition to environmentally
sensitive areas. It also prohibits camping on city facilities. The Council could direct further
restrictions for areas like downtown. The legal concern with prohibiting camping in areas zoned
different coming to a result where all camping is prohibited.
Some of the public property in Springfield is designated as parks and open space and are
publicly owned but not controlled by the City. These lands are not subject to HB 3115, but most
likely must adhere to the rulings in the Boise and Grants Pass cases. The current camping code
prohibits camping in parks and draft code carries through that prohibition for consistency. The
Council could determine that including parks is not necessary and rely on Willamalane to
comply the rulings.
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 3
MEMORANDUM 4/17/2023 Page 3
Manner Restrictions
These regulations are intended to limit some of the conflicts that sheltering on public property
creates such as litter, impeding access and opening burning.
Enforcement
The draft code includes flexibility for the City Manager to suspend or modify enforcement in the
event of an emergency, weather conditions or other reason. It also includes a lower fine of $25
instead of the $720 violation fine under SMC 1.205.
Next Steps: After this meeting, staff will work on updating the City's website and notifying the
community about when the online survey will close. Staff will also continue our conversations
about enforcement strategies.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Provide direction about provisions of draft camping code and
next steps for adoption and obtaining public feedback.
Attachment 1, Page 3 of 3
CURRENT SMC 5.130
Prohibited Camping.
(1) No person shall camp in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right-of-way,
public parks, including roads and parking lots, or any other place to which the general public has access,
or under any bridgeway or viaduct.
(2) "To camp" means to set up or to remain in or at a campsite.
(3) "Campsite" means any place where any bedding, sleeping bag, or other sleeping matter,
or any stove or fire, is placed, established, or maintained, whether or not the place incorporates the use
of any tent, lean-to, shack, or any other structure.
(4) The offenses specified in subsections (1), (2) and (3) are punishable as violations and may
include a fine not exceeding $720.00 pursuant to SMC section 1.205. [Section 5.130 amended by
Ordinance No. 6169, enacted May 15, 2006.]
DRAFT REPLACEMENT SMC 5.130
Prohibited Camping.
(1) Definitions
a. To "camp" or the act of "camping" means to pitch, use, or occupy camp materials or
a camp for the purpose of occupancy, habitation, or sheltering for survival, and in
such a way as will facilitate sleeping or storage of personal belongings, carrying on
cooking activities, taking measures to keep protected from the elements including
heat and cold, or any of these activities in combination with one another or in
combination with either sleeping or making preparations to sleep. A "camp" is a
location where people camp or are camping.
b. "Camp materials" may include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, awnings, lean-tos,
chairs, tarps or tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, blankets, mattresses, sleeping
or bedding materials, food or food storage items, and/or similar items that are or
appear to be used as sheltering, habitation and/or sleeping accommodations, or to
assist with sheltering, habitation and/or sleeping activities.
c. "Established campsite" means a location or locations in the public right-of-way or on
City property where a camp, camps, and/or camp materials have been set up for 24 -
hours or more. Note: "camp" "camping" "camp materials" and "established
campsite" do not include vehicles or recreational vehicles used for shelter and/or
sleeping, which are regulated under Chapter 6 of this code.
d. "City Property" means all real property, land and public facilities owned, leased
(either to the City or by the City), controlled, or managed by the City of Springfield
including parking lots.
(2) Time Restriction - Unless specifically provided otherwise in this code, no established
campsites are permitted.
(3) Place Restrictions
Attachment 2, Page 1 of 3
a. It is prohibited at all times for any person to use City property to camp or for
camping or for the purpose of occupancy, habitation, or sheltering for survival,
provided that the City Manager may, in their discretion, designate certain City
properties or portions of properties as areas where camping or sleeping may be
allowed on a limited basis, and may set the terms and conditions of any camping or
vehicle use that may be allowed.
b. In addition to the prohibition on camping on City property in Section 3(a) camping is
not allowed at any time in any of the following places:
i.
Any area zoned Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3) on the City of Springfield Zoning
Map in effect at the time.
ii.
Within the riparian corridor of a Water Quality Limited Watercourse or
tributary, as determined by the Water Quality Limited Watercourse Map
and the Springfield Development Code.
iii.
Within any stormwater quality facility as shown on or approved by any land
decision or development permit.
iv.
Any place where camping, a camp, or camp materials create a physical
impediment to emergency or non -emergency ingress, egress or access to
property, whether private or public, or on public sidewalks or other public
rights-of-way, including but not limited to driveways providing access to
vehicles, and entrances or exits from buildings and/or other real property.
v.
Any vehicle lane, bicycle lane, or roundabout within any public right-of-way.
vi.
Within 1000 feet from any temporary emergency shelter approved under
sections 8.010 or 8.012 of this code or other shelter approved under the
Springfield Development Code and/or any applicable provision of state law.
vii.
On any street or public right-of-way that the City has closed to camping due
to construction, heavy vehicle use, or other use of the roadway that is
incompatible with camping in the right-of-way. The City does not need to
close a street to vehicle traffic to close a street to camping under this
section.
viii.
In any public park.
(4) Manner Regulations
- Camping, when and where allowed, is subject to all of the following
requirements:
a. Individuals, camp materials, camps or personal property may not obstruct sidewalk
accessibility or passage, clear vision, fire hydrants, City or other public utility
infrastructure, or otherwise interfere with the use of right of way for vehicle,
pedestrian, bicycle or other passage.
b. Individuals may not accumulate, discard or leave behind garbage, debris, unsafe or
hazardous materials, or other items of no apparent utility in public rights of way, on
city property or any adjacent public or private property.
c. Individuals may not have open flames, recreational fires, bonfires or burn garbage
or other material.
d. Dumping of gray water (i.e., wastewater from baths, sinks, and the like) or black
water (i.e., sewage) into any facilities or places not intended for gray water or black
2
Attachment 2, Page 2 of 3
water disposal is prohibited. The includes but is not limited to storm drains, which
are not intended for disposal of gray water or back water.
e. Unauthorized connection or taps to electrical or other utilities, or violations of
building, fire or other relevant codes or standards, are prohibited.
f. Obstruction or attachment of camp materials or personal property to fire hydrants,
utility poles or other utility or public infrastructure, fences, trees, vegetation,
vehicles or buildings is prohibited.
g. Individuals may not build or erect structures, whether by using plywood, wood
materials, pallets, or other materials. Items such as tents and similar items used for
shelter that are readily portable are not structures for the purposes of this section.
h. Storage of personal property such as vehicle tires, bicycles or associated
components (except as needed for an individual's personal use), gasoline,
generators, lumber, household furniture, combustible materials is prohibited, other
than what is related to camping, sleeping or keeping warm and dry
(5) Enforcement
a. The City Manager is specifically authorized to modify or suspend enforcement of
any section or element of this section in the event of a declared emergency,
pursuant to administrative rules or polices, weather conditions or any other reason
within the City manager's authority regardless of whether an emergency has been
declared.
b. The City Manager may adopt administrative rules or policies governing or governing
enforcement of the chapter, including but not limited to ensuring consistent and
appropriate enforcement for various circumstances.
c. An offense of this section is punishable as a violation and may include a fine of
$25.00.
3
Attachment 2, Page 3 of 3
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, OREGON
ORDINANCE NO.
(GENERAL)
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
5.130 RELATING TO PROHIBITED CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
WHEREAS, in 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 3115 (later codified as ORS 195.530) requiring
any city or county law regulating the act of sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors
on public property open to the public to be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with
regards to persons experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, prior to the passage of HB 3115, all camping on public property in the City of Springfield
was effectively prohibited; and
WHEREAS, camping on public property like rights-of-way, parking lots and sidewalks is inconsistent
with the intended use by creating unsafe conditions for pedestrians and motorists, increased trash and
litter, fire risk through open burning and impeding access to adjacent properties; and
WHEREAS, like many communities in Oregon, Springfield has experienced an increase in
homelessness resulting in some people living and sheltering outdoors including on public property; and
WHEREAS, the Springfield City Council acknowledges the current lack of housing regionally and
recognizes the systemic lack of state and federal investment in shelter and public health services for
persons experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the Springfield City Council has tried to address homelessness in the community through
efforts like the Overnight Parking and RV as Temporary Housing programs, assisting Mainstream
Housing in their emergency pallet shelter site and designating ARPA funds for Ann's Heart Women
Shelter for the acquisition of a home to provide housing for women experiencing homelessness in
Springfield; and
WHEREAS, Springfield City Council members also sit on regional bodies that address homelessness
like the Human Services Commission and the Poverty and Homeless Board and it further designates
some of its federal Community Development Block Grant funds to support a human services delivery
system to address the needs of homeless persons and special needs populations through the Human
Services Commission; and
WHEREAS, in replacing SMC 5.130, the Springfield City Council analyzed the prohibited camping
enforcement data in Springfield from 2022, prohibited camping codes from other jurisdictions and
conducted public outreach through a public hearing, an online survey, asking for written
communications from constituents and a written survey available at Ebbert United Methodist Church for
their guests; and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Springfield Municipal Code Section 5.310 is repealed and replaced as provided in
Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
Section 2. Savings Clause. Except as specifically amended herein, Chapter 5 of the
Springfield Municipal Code shall continue in full force and effect. The prior code provisions changed by
this Ordinance remain in full force and effect to authorize enforcement actions against prohibited
camping occurring prior to the effective date of this Ordinance.
PAGE 1 of 2
Attachment 3, Page 1 of 5
Section 3. Severability Clause. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such
holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion hereof.
ADOPTED by the Common Council of the City of Springfield this day of 12023,
by a vote of for and against.
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Springfield this day of , 2023.
ATTEST:
City Recorder
Mayor
PAGE 2 of 2
Attachment 3, Page 2 of 5
Exhibit A, Page 1 of 3
5.130 Prohibited Camping
(1) Definitions
a. To "camp" or the act of "camping" means to pitch, use, or occupy camp
materials or a camp for the purpose of occupancy, habitation, or sheltering
for survival, and in such a way as will facilitate sleeping or storage of personal
belongings, carrying on cooking activities, taking measures to keep protected
from the elements including heat and cold, or any of these activities in
combination with one another or in combination with either sleeping or
making preparations to sleep. A "camp" is a location where people camp or
are camping.
b. 'Camp materials" may include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, awnings,
lean-tos, chairs, tarps or tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, blankets,
mattresses, sleeping or bedding materials, food or food storage items, and/or
similar items that are or appear to be used as sheltering, habitation and/or
sleeping accommodations, or to assist with sheltering, habitation and/or
sleeping activities.
c. 'Established campsite" means a location or locations in the public right-of-
way or on City property where a camp, camps, and/or camp materials have
been set up for 24 -hours or more. Note: 'camp" "camping" "camp materials"
and "established campsite" do not include vehicles or recreational vehicles
used for shelter and/or sleeping, which are regulated under Chapter 6 of this
code.
d. "City Property" means all real property, land and public facilities owned,
leased (either to the City or by the City), controlled, or managed by the City
of Springfield including parking lots.
(2) Time Restriction - Unless specifically provided otherwise in this code, no established
campsites are permitted.
(3) Place Restrictions
a. It is prohibited at all times for any person to use City property to camp or for
camping or for the purpose of occupancy, habitation, or sheltering for
survival, provided that the City Manager may, in their discretion, designate
certain City properties or portions of properties as areas where camping or
sleeping may be allowed on a limited basis, and may set the terms and
conditions of any camping or vehicle use that may be allowed.
b. In addition to the prohibition on camping on City property in Section 3(a)
camping is not allowed at any time in any of the following places:
i. Any area zoned Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3) on the City of Springfield
Zoning Map in effect at the time.
Attachment 3, Page 3 of 5
Exhibit A, Page 2 of 3
ii. Within the riparian corridor of a Water Quality Limited Watercourse or
tributary, as determined by the Water Quality Limited Watercourse
Map and the Springfield Development Code.
iii. Within any stormwater quality facility as shown on or approved by any
land decision or development permit.
iv. Any place where camping, a camp, or camp materials create a
physical impediment to emergency or non -emergency ingress, egress
or access to property, whether private or public, or on public
sidewalks or other public rights-of-way, including but not limited to
driveways providing access to vehicles, and entrances or exits from
buildings and/or other real property.
v. Any vehicle lane, bicycle lane, or roundabout within any public right-
of-way.
vi. Within 1000 feet from any temporary emergency shelter approved
under sections 8.010 or 8.012 of this code or other shelter approved
under the Springfield Development Code and/or any applicable
provision of state law.
vii. On any street or public right-of-way that the City has closed to
camping due to construction, heavy vehicle use, or other use of the
roadway that is incompatible with camping in the right-of-way. The
City does not need to close a street to vehicle traffic to close a street
to camping under this section.
viii. In any public park.
(4) Manner Regulations - Camping, when and where allowed, is subject to all of the
following requirements:
a. Individuals, camp materials, camps or personal property may not obstruct
sidewalk accessibility or passage, clear vision, fire hydrants, City or other
public utility infrastructure, or otherwise interfere with the use of right of way
for vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle or other passage.
b. Individuals may not accumulate, discard or leave behind garbage, debris,
unsafe or hazardous materials, or other items of no apparent utility in public
rights of way, on city property or any adjacent public or private property.
c. Individuals may not have open flames, recreational fires, bonfires or burn
garbage or other material.
d. Dumping of gray water (i.e., wastewater from baths, sinks, and the like) or
black water (i.e., sewage) into any facilities or places not intended for gray
water or black water disposal is prohibited. The includes but is not limited to
storm drains, which are not intended for disposal of gray water or back water.
Attachment 3, Page 4 of 5
Exhibit A, Page 3 of 3
e. Unauthorized connection or taps to electrical or other utilities, or violations of
building, fire or other relevant codes or standards, are prohibited.
f. Obstruction or attachment of camp materials or personal property to fire
hydrants, utility poles or other utility or public infrastructure, fences, trees,
vegetation, vehicles or buildings is prohibited.
g. Individuals may not build or erect structures, whether by using plywood,
wood materials, pallets, or other materials. Items such as tents and similar
items used for shelter that are readily portable are not structures for the
purposes of this section.
h. Storage of personal property such as vehicle tires, bicycles or associated
components (except as needed for an individual's personal use), gasoline,
generators, lumber, household furniture, combustible materials is prohibited,
other than what is related to camping, sleeping or keeping warm and dry
(5) Enforcement
a. The City Manager is specifically authorized to modify or suspend enforcement
of any section or element of this section in the event of a declared
emergency, pursuant to administrative rules or polices, weather conditions or
any other reason within the City manager's authority regardless of whether
an emergency has been declared.
b. The City Manager may adopt administrative rules or policies governing or
governing enforcement of the chapter, including but not limited to ensuring
consistent and appropriate enforcement for various circumstances.
c. An offense of this section is punishable as a violation and may include a fine
of $25.00.
Attachment 3, Page 5 of 5
This attachment contains the public input received by the City of Springfield through
several different sources, including: (1) feedback from surveys collected by Ebbert
United Methodist Church; (2) emails received by the City Attorney's Office; and (3) a
snapshot of the online survey summary.
Attachment 4, Page 1 of 54
CAMPING CODE UPDATE FEEDBACK
From Ebbert United Methodist Church Survey
Number of Surveys Returned: 13
1. The Springfield City Council is considering prohibiting camping within certain areas such
as residential neighborhoods, by the river, or local paths. This change to the camping code
would impact your ability to find a safe place to sleep.
Number of Responses
Strongly Disagree:
Somewhat Disagree:
Neutral:
Somewhat Agree:
Strongly Agree:
2. Where do you feel the most safe and comfortable sleeping?
"inside within four walls and a ceiling"
"Close to neighborhood"
"By the river"
"At my place in my tent"
"Well, inside of course but Eugene OR is safer"
"Out of the rain and wind with two blankets anywhere"
"Under the train tressle [sic] bridges"
"Shelter area — dry — comfortable"
"BLM primitive camping areas. Yearly permit. County camping"
"In my vehicle, but no place to be"
"Inside an [sic] house, etc., with a door that I can lock"
"It should feel safe everyway. I go [illegible] the drug problem. No chance of safety."
"In a shelter or safe parking place"
3. What resources would most help you understand where you can camp?
Number of Responses
Maps: 8
Signs saying whether you can camp in a certain area: 7
Other: 6
"No violence signs / clean up after signs / move out date"
"designated area"
"anything"
"I was told that no where in Springfield was open to camp, and that every
business had no tresspassing [sic] signs. I would be arrested. Told to move
every time."
"Being honest about places to go with [illegible]"
"We need a safe place for people to be warm dry and safe"
4. What services/support would help you maintain your camp free of litter and excess
items?
Attachment 4, Page 2 of 54
"trash cans garbage can / free water / provide own cleanup / exchange service for
E=Mc2"
"garbage receptical [sic], toilet"
"Trash pick up"
"trash cans or big dumpters [sic] near the campsite"
"Just need porta-potties, I clean after myself"
"Accessable [sic] trash receptables / trash bags"
"garbage patrol"
"trash cans and bags"
"garbage bags, [illegible]"
"no hording, trash bins, a bathroom"
"maybe get trash bags from co workers and to get the people who are homeless clean
up after thierselfs [sic], "yeah right"
"garbage cans port a potty and runing [sic] water"
5. The Council is also looking at vehicle parking rules as they relate to overnight parking
for sleeping and shelter. If you use or have used a vehicle for sleeping or shelter, what do you
look for when considering a place to park?
"have sign in place. I'm looking for [illegible] vacant. Please move this vehicle sign."
"somewhat dark, place to use restroom"
"yes"
"Just being able to stay there without being harrassed [sic]"
"Where I don't think I will be bothered by anybody police"
"Quiet, semi -dark, w/o through traffic"
"bathrooms, places to eat or cook! Area to relax under cover while above"
"Safe from vehicle. Access to water & toilet. Scenic features, refuse disposal"
"Any place where I'm not bothered for 8-12 hours [illegible] metal"
"Well lit and clean, close to bathroom if possible"
"a quiet place and no hard drugs, meth, femal [sic], coke, heroin"
"I don't park in Springfield because of Springfield no camping ORS and that is a bunch
of [profanity]. What about the state law that says if a city has homeless population they
must provide shelter."
6. If you use or have used a vehicle for sleeping or shelter, how do you take care of other
needs like cooking or using the bathroom?
"do whatever I can"
"[illegible] gas, DA"
"I have a butane stove for cooking and anywhere I can that will let me go."
"I had a camp stove and park close to shopping stores"
"cooking w/ propane & or bbq — bathrooms in the parks"
"think ahead — always be prepared — clean receptacles to be emptied later. Compost
can."
"barely. No place to shave, etc. brush teeth, or wash hands. Either no water or no soap
or it takes 10 minutes to set soap out like at Island park. And the soap is crap, it's no
good."
Attachment 4, Page 3 of 54
"Usually cold food, fuel is expensive"
"coman [sic] stove, state parks, if available RV tent spots"
"I don't do any cooking and if I need a bathroom the church on 6th C has one"
7. How do you feel about camping on public property within a 24-hour time limit?
Number of Responses
Strongly Disapprove: 5
Disapprove: 0
Neutral: 5
Approve: 1
Strongly Approve: 1
8. The updated code should limit a campsite size?
Number of Responses
Strongly Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Neutral: 0
Agree: 6
Strongly Agree: 3
9. What are our thoughts on limiting the number of campers at an individual site?
"I think camping in numbers is safer"
"Why is it limited when there isn't camping"
"None"
"It's understandable why but still wrong"
"Less mess, less problems"
"Maybe limit occupants depending upon size of camp"
"however many may fit according to size"
"if no trash trouble — no need to limit some families stay tight. 10-22 per site"
"definitely for a lot of reasons. I could tell you exactly how to do it. I lived at
Opportunity Village, and I developed a better plan, a plan that insures familiarity and
community within the group at large. I would be happy to elaborate if you're serious."
"I would like to not have anyone unless we were together. Many people don't clean up"
"that would be hard to say cause its al [sic] cross the USA"
"that depends on what kind of site and is that for car camping"
10. In your opinion, what would be a safe, comfortable number of campers at an individual
site?
"5-8„
"As many as there were that needed the spot"
"I don't"
"I'd say like 10-15 campers"
"I sleep alone mostly but would change"
"1-6 comfortably w/ pets, supplies & belongings?"
Attachment 4, Page 4 of 54
"if they can get along!"
"5+children"
"I can't answer some may have a large family, you shouldn't separate families"
"depends what the government would aloud [sic] [illegible] think of a group to tak [sic]
power of the country or even this state"
"no more then 50 people per site"
11. Do you have any additional feedback you would like to share regarding the camping
code update?
"I hope that who ever reads this dosen't [sic] have to experience being bumped and
pushed from place to place and being treated the way most of these people are."
"get better people in the city council to and that care about people. Period."
"Maybe impose some kind of demerit system for those campers leaving a massive mess
on a constant basis. The environment is already fragile."
"women's section"
"first nite 3 days to 10 day stay. There doesn't seem to be anyway to find out codes or
updates or places. It is a critical condition because many are led astray and harmed or
the opposite have harmed innocent local residents. We need a central information
station with up to the minute review of shelter, food, housing employment"
"I hope that we are allowed to stay somewhere, I would rather be anywhere than that
service station thing. It's a bit uncomfortable to be in, to put it lightly"
"eyes, the government needs to quite [sic] down and quit hurting the americans that are
trying to make a differentce [sic] [illegible] I really do not see that happening."
"yes, I think Springfield should start obaying [sic] the law that's state law and provide
shalter [sic] to the homeless"
Attachment 4, Page 5 of 54
Emails Received by the City Attorney's Office
Thank you for your recent work session on revising your camping ordinance. The staff presentation was
well thought out and the comments by members showed a comprehensive awareness of the problem on
several levels.
It appears that the concerns of the City Council are:
- Compliance with State and Federal law
- Safety of all citizens
- Clean and safe areas
- Solutions that have worked in other areas
I volunteer at several organizations that address the homeless and those in crisis, including the
Springfield Egan Warming Center. First of all, thank you for allowing the Egan program to use the
Memorial Building as a local warming center. It is uniquely suited to this task, with the spacious rooms,
kitchen facility and storage areas. Many homeless people have been served there this winter. The
warming centers were activated more nights than ever before this winter, offering safe sleep and hot
meals to the homeless of Springfield.
The Council requested that staff look at places where homelessness has been successfully
addressed.. There are several community organizations and local churches that address the very items
the Council would like to resolve.
For example, St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County (https://www.svdp.us/services/) offers a variety of
services for homeless people:
1. There is the Eugene Service Station which offers a day shelter which provides food, day shelter,
clothing, laundry, showers, supplies and stabilizing assistance.
2. The Hub offers basic routine and urgent health care services, including mental health and
addiction treatment.
3. SVDP also offers a Safe Parking program for those living in their cars.
If the City of Springfield partnered with SVDP and other organizations by providing buildings and parking
areas, then the organizations could possibly duplicate these services in Springfield at minimal cost to the
City.
The positive results would be: Less homeless traffic on sidewalks, less camping on public lands, fewer
homeless people's cars parked in residential areas, less danger of illegal burning in cold weather, less
trash from homeless camp sites, upgraded life for homeless people, with greater opportunity for those
who want services to receive them.
The Housing First program has successfully decreased homelessness in areas where it is implemented.
https://endhomelessness.org/resource/housing-first/. They have evidence -based principles to end
homelessness. Well worth looking into and interesting results.
Thank you for your service to the community.
3/17/2023
We (myself and neighbors in the Gamebird Village neighborhood) are looking to understand who is
representing the Springfield Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) in the conversation surrounding the
Springfield Camping Code. Our understanding from the Springfield City web page is that Springfield City
Council is working on. Camping Code Update - City of Springfield Oregon (springfield-or.gov)
I live at 3120 Oriole St, in the UGB, with Gamebird Park (1500 Mallard Ave) three doors down from
me. For public services, we are in a bit of a dead zone — sometimes it's Springfield, sometimes it's Lane
County, who governs or supports us. It has varied over the years who we are supposed to call, and for
what and is a consistent source of aggravation getting public services (police, abandoned vehicle reports,
reporting bad actors at the park, EMS, Cahoots, etc). Due to that, we are looking to understand where
we are represented in the camping code conversation.
Could someone please answer the following:
Attachment 4, Page 6 of 54
Is Gamebird Park + surrounding neighborhood, included in the City of Springfield Camping Code
scope? If so, how are our interests represented in this discussion? Since we are UGB, we do
have representation on the Springfield City Council.
If Gamebird Park + surrounding neighborhood is not included in this camping code discussion, is
Lane County considering this topic and asking for public input? Can someone direct me to their
webpage on the topic if so? I have been unable to find anything on my own that is similar to
what City of Springfield has put forth.
Thank you for your time and attention in this matter. Getting our questions answered will allow us to
know where to focus our efforts.
3/17/2023
I am emailing you about the proposed camping ordinance change. I am wondering if you are considering
an ordinance similar to Corvallis, but custom made for Springfield. The ordinance in Corvallis seems to
make a lot of sense. They ban camping but allow for "Martin vs Boise sleeping areas" in specific parks.
They give people access to trash and restroom facilities as well as a list of basic rules to follow, and can
suspend a site if rules aren't being followed.
Until we have housing and shelter for all, I would like to see people staying in safe places with facilities
and services as opposed to right of ways or sidewalks. It doesn't make sense to allow people to camp in
areas without restrooms or trash facilities, and will likely lead to public health hazards.
Many other cities in Oregon are pushing campers to industrial and commercial parts of town with no
facilities. Where do you think they are going to go to the restroom at night when none are available?
Parks aren't being used at night, have facilities and are routinely maintained. Why not allow people to
sleep there after hours? It seems like that would be much better for everyone. Giving people a list of
places to temporarily stay is better than making a difficult to enforce or follow patchwork of areas around
town.
Is the city considering investing in more shelter space long term? Also, what kind of restrictions is the city
considering to keep public areas from becoming trashed and having large encampments entrench
themselves?
3/29/2023
As a neighborhood block leader who lives next to a park, and has to deal with this influx of vagrants and
the homeless by definition, we feel that it needs to be more strict. 72 hours is bad enough to have to
deal with campers in cars , trailers and other vehicles.
3/30/2023
Let's be honest about this. No camping at parks where they leave trash and their used drug
paraphernalia. Parks are for beauty, kids to run and play without coming across disgusting area's. We all
seen what happen with Washington Street Bridge. No camping in front of businesses doing the same
thing leaving filth and having the area's smelling like pee and poop. Safety is a major concern for the
public and businesses as for homeowners and renters. Have you taken a look and actually walked around
the town and out of town??? They leave huge disgusting trash piles and it sits there for months. You can
have compassion and be stern at the sametime. We want a clean safe city for all so make it where
Springfield is that.
3/31/2023
Hello, I live on the corner of b street alley in fourteenth. I know that this alleyway is known for its
homelessness. But the amount of garbage and drug paraphernalia down this alleyway is getting worse.
Is there any way that the city can assist with the clean up of this alleyway along with the mobile home
park trimming up their bushes so that the frequent fliers can't live in them?
Attachment 4, Page 7 of 54
This is becoming a dangerous alleyway and I don't think it's fair for us, Taxpayers who have to look at
this mess and deal with the continual issues down the alley.
Thank you for your time and consideration of clean up.
4/2/2023
So, did Oregonians vote on this bill that was passed? The state government is pushing policy on the
public without our consent and that needs to stop immediately. Federal homeless statute has no
jurisdiction in the states. In two years, the state will probably pass a bill to tax Oregonians to keep the
$1000 a month payments to the homeless population without our consent. I feel that the majority of
Oregonians are willing to help those who want to help themselves out of a situation where one becomes
homeless. However, a majority of these folks don't want to help themselves out of where they are. Most
Oregonians are now struggling due to the economic issues effecting everyone. These are difficult times,
and this states policies are going to make this a whole lot worse.
4/2/2023
Hello, I live on the corner of b street alley in fourteenth. I know that this alleyway is known for its
homelessness.
But the amount of garbage and drug paraphernalia down this alleyway is getting worse.
Is there any way that the city can assist with the clean up of this alleyway along with the mobile home
park trimming up their bushes so that the frequent fliers can't live in them?
This is becoming a dangerous alleyway and I don't think it's fair for us, Taxpayers who have to look at
this mess and deal with the continual issues down the alley.
Thank you for your time and consideration of clean up.
4/3/2023
Participating retailers within Emmitt Properties, LLC (SE corner of 14th and Main St.) handed me your
letter containing "Camping Code Update" and your "Open Banner Program". As my wife, Drew and I are
owners of the property, and have spent over 400k in remodel efforts for tenants, it sounds like
Springfield is trying to move in the direction of "less" control over this issue due to feared litigation. I
wonder how much less you can do with regard to enforcement? Every morning my tenants remove these
unhoused individuals and clear their bottles, drugs, toilet paper from their front doors. How am I
supposed to keep them happy with a property continuously assaulted by such abuse? Did you ever ask
me if I wanted our property open to this treatment? How are my retailers supposed to attract customers
with such window dressing and hazard? ( The unhoused did light a fire under our overhead last night
and luckily another person put it out!)
4/3/2023
You won't be able to arrest all homeless.expect to get 4 x the amount u now have.the housing situation
is impossible for low income people.Oregon has a mild winter climate and that keeps people alive.the
Supreme Court ruling concerning homelessness is going to be ignored but eventually laws that prohibit
camping will be found unconstitutional.
4/3/2023
My name is Don Strouf and I own Ducko's Custom Framing at 149 5th Street. I would like to know, and
have in writing, a clarification on what "public property" consists of. As this new city code is being
enforced allowing the homeless the right to camp anywhere on public property, are the sidewalks
considered public property? Are there any restrictions on how close they can camp to business
entrances, schools, etc.? Will the police enforce any removal of homeless people if they violate the areas
that they are not allowed to camp at? I have filled out and filed with the police a no trespass order for
my address. If I call the police for help in removing said homeless and I get no response, can I take
matters into my own hands within reason since I already have a no trespass order on file? Do I need to
post a no trespassing sign in order to either have the police or myself be able to remove them lawfully?
Attachment 4, Page 8 of 54
On a side note, I have another question/suggestion that would help everyone keep our city from being
overrun with homeless transients. Can you pass an order to have all shopping carts taken away from the
homeless. It would not do any good to fine them or arrest them for theft as they wouldn't pay it anyway.
My suggestion is, rather than pay people to clean up after the homeless camps that will start appearing
everywhere once they find out that the code has been changed.... take that money and have the city
crews collect the stolen shopping carts. Simply, pull up and inform them that they are in possession of a
stolen cart. Give them an opportunity to remove their belongings immediately and then take the cart. If
they refuse to give up the cart, then dump it out and take it. If they don't have anything to push around
with all of their garbage and other stolen items in, they will move on. I'm sure that there is a more polite
way of handling this, but hopefully you get the idea. Shopping carts are not cheap to replace. I'm sure if
you contact businesses such as grocery, target, walmart, etc. they would be more than happy to chip in a
monthly or per unit fee for returning their carts. The program would pay for itself. And yes I am aware
that some of the homeless and even some residents won't like the idea, but I thought theft was against
the law, so who cares what anyone thinks.
As you can see, I am not in favor of turning Springfield back into "Springtucky" and the mess that went
with that name! The city, local businesses, and residents have worked hard to change the once bad
reputation into a nice and inviting city. I would hate to see all of that hard work go to waste!
I would have asked these questions at the meeting held Tuesday night but I had a prior engagement
scheduled for that date and time. I heard from another downtown business that Vahana was going
around to businesses to talk to them about the meeting so I was looking forward to that so I could pass
on my concerns and questions. However, when she got to my business, she walked right by for some
reason. So that's why I am writing to you.
4/5/2023
Attachment 4, Page 9 of 54
Camping Code Update Survey Initial Summary
The following snapshot is a high-level summary of initial camping code update survey responses. This
snapshot is as of April 7, 2023.
What is your relationship to the City of Springfield?
I work in
in the City of
ANSWER OPTION
%
# OF RESPONSES
live in the City of Springfield
69.04%
484
1 work in the City of Springfield
19.40%
136
1 operate a business in the City of Springfield
5.28%
37
1 frequently visit the City of Springfield
15.12%
106
1 own property in the City of Springfield
16.26%
114
Total
877
What is your zip code?
4 WOROJPHRASE
RESPONSES
MENTIONS
1 97478
257
257
2 97477
253
253
3 97405
21
21
4 97402
19
19
5 97401
17
17
Attachment 4, Page 10 of 54
Do you feel homelessness is a problem in the City of Springfield?
ANSWER OPTION
Yes
No
Not sure
Total
Do you know someone who has experienced homelessness?
sure
Attachment 4, Page 11 of 54
X
!! OF RESPONSES
70.94%
498
16.67%
117
12.39%
87
702
sure
ANSWER OPTION
% 4 OF RESPONSES
Yes
60.11% 422
No
34.47% 242
Not sure
5.41% 38
Total
702
Have you previously experienced or are you currently experiencing homelessness?*
Yes
ANSWER OPTION
% 4 OF RESPONSES
Yes
9.54% 67
No
B9.03% 625
Not sure
1.42% 10
Total
702
How concerned are you about people camping on public property in the City?
ANSWER OPTION
NOT AT ALL CONCERNED
SOMEWHAT CONCERNED
CONCERNED
VERY CONCERNED
TOTAL
Downtown Area
9.73%
12.92%
21.05%
56.30%
61
91
132
353
627
Parks, paths, and trails
7.81%
9.25%
11.48%
71.45%
49
58
72
448
627
Remaining City Area
10.53%
15.79%
22.65%
51.04%
66
99
142
320
627
Attachment 4, Page 12 of 54
The City should consider the following factors when reviewing potential locations at which to allow
overnight camping?
ANS'P�ER OPTION
STRONGLY
SOMEWHAT
NEUTRAL
SOMEWHAT
STRONGLY
TOTAL
TOTAL
DISAGREE
DISAGREE
47.76%
AGREE
AGREE
10.06%
Parking impacts
8.28%
6.21%
17.52%
21.34%
46.66%
62
81
52
39
110
134
293
628
Impacts to communities of color
11.62%
3.18%
31.05%
15.61%
38.54%
73
20
195
98
242
628
Impacts to low-income residents
7.96%
3.34%
21.02%
21.50%
46.18%
24.92%
21.25%
50
21
132
135
290
628
Close to school sfchildcare
4.46%
1.75%
6.53%
9.55%
77.71%
3.37
facilities
28
11
41
60
488
628
Close to environmentally
3.82%
1.59%
6.53%
13.22%
74.84%
109
sensitive areas
24
10
41
83
470
628
Close to shelters/social services
5.10%
3.82%
20.86%
18.79%
51.43%
allowed
64
32
24
131
118
323
628
Close to commercial areas
6.05%
4.46%
22.13%
17.99%
49.36%
16.93%
27.16%
38
28
139
113
310
628
Close to pedestrian corridors
4.94%
3.50%
9.08%
14.81%
6768%
where people are bi...
31
22
57
93
425
628
Close to residential areas
7.01%
3.18%
10.51%
9.55%
69.75%
44
20
66
60
438
628
Public Safety
3.03%
2.07%
6.37%
7.80%
80.73%
19
13
40
49
507
628
Sanitary considerations
2.55%
0.96%
2.39%
5.25%
88.85%
16
6
15
33
558
628
With #1 being the most important, which factors should receive the most consideration for an
overnight camping policy?
ANSWER OPTION
IST
2ND
3RD
47H
5TH
BT H
TOTAL
SCORE
Public Safety
47.76%
9.90%
12.94%
10.06%
5.43%
13.90%
299
62
81
63
34
87
626
2.57
Sanitary considerations (example:
22.20%
26.04%
15.50%
12.781Y.
14.38%
9.11%
access to bathroom facilities)
139
163
97
80
90
57
626
2.98
Environmental impacts (littering, etc)
7.19%
24.28%
24.92%
21.25%
13.10%
9.27%
45
152
156
133
82
58
626
3.37
Duration of stay
7.51%
18.05%
16.45%
17.41%
22.68%
17.89%
47
113
103
109
142
112
626
3.83
Hours during which camping is
10.22%
11.02%
13.26%
15.341Y.
27.48%
22.68%
allowed
64
69
83
96
172
142
626
4.07
Compatibility with nearby uses
5.11%
10.70%
16.93%
23.16%
16.93%
27.16%
32
67
106
145
106
170
626
4.18
Attachment 4, Page 13 of 54
How do you feel about camping on public property with a 24-hour time limit?
ANSWER OPTION
%
9 OF RESPONSES
Strongly Disapprove
36.94%
232
Disapprove
20.06%
126
Neutral (neither approve nor disapprove)
16.40%
103
Approve
16.56%
104
Strongly Approve
10.03%
63
Total
628
The updated code should limit campsite size (for example: 20x20).
ANSWER OPTION
%
# OF RESPONSES
Strongly Disagree
13.08%
82
Disagree
5.74%
36
Neutral (neither agree nor disagree)
17.86%
112
Agree
25.36%
159
Strongly Agree
37.96%
238
Total
627
What are your thoughts on limiting the number of campers at an individual site?
425 question respondents as of 4/7/2023 with a variety of feedback such as not allowing camping,
support of limits, consideration of family sizes, tying limits to access to sanitation services, among other
responses.
In your opinion, what would be a safe, comfortable number of campers at an individual site?
# WORDIPHRASE
RESPONSES
MENTIONS
1 2
78
78
2 0
65
65
3 4
52
52
4 site
46
53
5 1
47
49
*Individuals who answered "yes" to previously experiencing homelessness or currently experiencing
homelessness were asked the following additional questions:
Attachment 4, Page 14 of 54
The City of Springfield is considering prohibiting camping within certain areas such as residential
neighborhoods, by the river, or local paths. This change to the camping code would impact your ability
to find a safe place to sleep (please rate on the scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree).
ANSWER OPTION
Strongly Disagree
Somewhat Disagree
Neutral (neither agree nor disagree)
Somewhat Agree
Strongly Agree
Total
Where do you feel most safe and comfortable sleeping?
WORDIPHRASE
1 home
2 bed
% # OF RESPONSES
37.29% 22
11R:1Ll MA
10.17% 6
5.08% 3
35.59% 21
59
RESPONSES MENTIONS
20 21
5 5
3 car 5 5
4 house 5 5
5 camping 4 4
29 question respondents as of 4/7/2023, multiple responses noting home/house, car, camping areas,
and shelters/sheltered areas.
What resources would most help you understand where you can camp?
ANSWER OPTION
Maps
Signs saying whether you can camp in a certain area
Other (please specify) Show Responses
Total
%
%TOTAL
# OF RESPONSES
62.71%
34.91%
37
77.97%
43.40%
46
38.98%
21.70%
23
106
Other ideas include a website, outreach to service providers and unhoused community members, app
with shelter bed availability, online maps that could be handed out, among other suggestions.
Attachment 4, Page 15 of 54
What services/support would help you maintain your camp free of litter and excess items?
The Council is also looking at vehicle parking rules as they relate to overnight parking for sleeping and
shelter. If you use or have used a vehicle for sleeping or shelter, what do you look for when
considering a place to park?
WORWHRASE
WORDlPrIkASE
RESPONSES
MENTjONS
1
trash
19
19
2
garbage
15
16
3
cans
14
14
-
public
6
7
bags
6
39 question respondents
as of 4/7/2023 with multiple responses noting access
to trash cans/service and
public restrooms.
The Council is also looking at vehicle parking rules as they relate to overnight parking for sleeping and
shelter. If you use or have used a vehicle for sleeping or shelter, what do you look for when
considering a place to park?
WORWHRASE
RESPONSES
MENTIONS
1 safe
12
13
2 parking
B
9
3 safety
R
8
4 quiet
7
8
lit
-
7
43 question respondents as of 4/7/2023 with responses noting locations/parking lots that are safe,
quiet, away from people/police patrols, near public restrooms, among other responses.
If you use or have used a vehicle for sleeping or shelter, how do you take care of other human needs
like cooking or using the bathroom? 52 question respondents as of 4/7/2023 with multiple responses
noting store/gym or public restrooms; limited ability or options to cook.
The final question for all respondents was open-ended to allow community members the opportunity to
share their thoughts with Council. As of 4/7/2023, there were 967 responses.
Do you have any additional feedback you would like to share regarding the camping code update?
I hope the update will balance people's right to sleep with public safety/sanitary conditions. I want
Springfield to be a place where all people are welcomed, and everyone feels safe to walk around.
Apr 7, 2023
There should be supports in place for campers so they are not designed to fail because of lack of clean
facilities for waste and hygiene.
Apr 7, 2023
I wish the city would look at the long vacant Sears, Thurston Safeway, old Winco and rethink what a
healthy community in transition looks like. All of those places would be amazing one stop service
centers. They have electricity, plumbing and ample parking to give both campers and tent campers
space to stabilize and get help. Those are all dead zones in our community. The WinCo site has been an
Attachment 4, Page 16 of 54
eye sore since I moved to Springfield over 14 years ago. It is time to stop sucking up to the developers
and rethink spaces and uses. The health of our citizens and our community depend on creativity. The
money and the space is there. Let's help those vulnerable people who deserve stability and Housing
First!
Apr 6, 2023
Camping is not the issue that needs to be handled. Affordable housing and rent control are the issues
that need to be addressed
Apr 6, 2023
I appreciate that we are adjusting our code to help people -- which I believe is the spirit of the law. Basic
health on the street is necessary -- access to bathroom and shower facilities are necessary. During
COVID, this response was considered a basic need and it should continue to be thought of as that. I also
think that being homeless is not comfortable for anyone, and safety and security are missing from their
lives. How can we help them feel safe while also offering safety to those who feel threatened by their
presence? Increased immediate mental health response and day-of/drop-in shelter options are sorely
needed in Springfield but mentioning them sounds like I'm asking for the moon. When really, we are
talking about fellow humans who are suffering and often at their worst moments. More streetlights
would also help to light paths and high -traffic pedestrian roadways, as well as City parks — if you are
looking for public safety options that are not linked to increased police response. Where does the
money come from? You have my support increasing taxes and also increasing a tax on the wealthy.
Apr 6, 2023
Number isn't an issue as long as they pose no risk to surrounding area.
Apr 4, 2023
Would police or some other safety group, patrol the camp site areas? Also, couldn't make the ranking
section work.
Apr 4, 2023
Stop outrageous rent increases driven purely by greed that is forcing more homelessness. If you feed
them they will come. Stop food hand outs for non residents.
Apr 4, 2023
There should be strict and enforced rules if there is to be camping allowed in Springfield
Apr 4, 2023
Please please make our communities livable again.
Apr 4, 2023
Prevent homeless from camping in the alley behind our home. You send us notices that we are
responsible for cleaning up their filth and garbage and drug paraphernalia. We can't go in the alley
because of the danger. Yet the City is all about homeless rights. What about the residents right to have a
safe living environment or safe streets to walk???
Apr 3, 2023
I feel that it is important to limite the use of areas due to cleanup and security foe the public.
Apr 3, 2023
The longer the homeless are catered to the less likely our state government will do anything about it.
Our state has an opportunity to reinstate mental health and addiction services along with affordable
housing.
Apr 3, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 17 of 54
I think unhoused people are in a difficult situation, however having unfettered access to public areas to
utilize as a "home" is not conducive for public morale. We need to have designated areas and
restrictions in all other public/private areas to help the impact on our community.
Apr 3, 2023
I think keeping camping areas away from residential neighborhoods is important so closer to businesses
and industrial areas. Crime is such a problem and housed families don't feel safe in their own
neighborhoods when there are unhoused people camping nearby unfortunately. Due to the tendency
for drugs and more crime.
Apr 3, 2023
Strong concerns for our parks that are highly visited by children and the fact that it's already becoming
unsafe to walk/ride on all of our beautiful walking paths and trails. Our property value and desire to stay
in this community will diminish greatly!
Apr 3, 2023
campers should be mandated to clean up area or punishable by jail, if jailed then put on clean up crew
from jail to clean up their area.ea. , city should provide garbage cans and porta potties if they are going
to allow.
Apr 3, 2023
Police monitoring for illegal drugs is imperative!
Apr 3, 2023
Do no allow it
Apr 2, 2023
I understate unhoused individuals situation for whatever reason, camping is not the answer as tax
payers always end up paying for something in the end whether it is for clean up or loss of business
traffic, etc. .
Apr 2, 2023
Public property is supposed to be safe and access for all, allowing camping directly goes against that.
Where public camping is happening in Lane County, it is no longer safe, accessible or sanitary. I've seen
businesses lose revenue and customers, nearly go up in flames due to campfires getting out of control,
have found feces and needles in neighboring businesses property. I have had to arm myself when
walking my dog due to campers in my neighborhood that harass neighbors.
Apr 2, 2023
Stop feeding them
Apr 2, 2023
This is a terrible idea. Springfield has been cleaning up and becoming a better city and now it will be just
like Eugene - A crime-ridden cesspool of violence and unsanitary conditions. I refuse to go into Eugene
any more than necessary as the unhoused have made it dangerous and everyone I know has suffered
from their presence. I quit my job in Eugene to avoid the issues I had to face just trying to get into my
place of work safely.
Apr 2, 2023
It is important to understand the different type of campers
Apr 2, 2023
I pay taxes and do not want any homeless residing or building any where near Springfield.
Apr 2, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 18 of 54
Camping within city limits should not be allowed at all.
Apr 2, 2023
No camping
Apr 1, 2023
I am not in favor or opening our parks for camping. We have designated campsites for camping. This is
ridiculous. Will take away from families and children using our parks.
Apr 1, 2023
Please don't turn our City of Springfield into a Kitty Piercey Eugene camp for homelessness. We moved
here and bought property because of the ban on camping on public places and the no handouts on
every street corner. Thank you for listening.
Apr 1, 2023
Create a private/ public partnership to set aside all public lands in Springfield into a trust for the benefit
of the tax paying residents. This would eleminate the requirement to allow camping on public property
and save Springfield from becoming Eugene.
Apr 1, 2023
The are state and national standards that could help Springfield shape their policy.
Apr 1, 2023
Fox the real problems. Drugs, mental health and enforcement of laws already on the books. Have
private land owners build camps on their own property.
Apr 1, 2023
I disagree with this. This should be away from homes. Away from schools. Away from playgrounds. Due
to sanitary and safety reasons (because the city doesn't not respond to these calls because we have all
been told by dispatchers that this would lead to harassment which is ironic because then your residents
get harassed) I'm assuming g taxes will go up due to cleaning budget and community engagement
resource officers. Essentially this will be a disaster in washing park. But you need to understand that if
this allows people to camp on bike paths. Adjacent to private property the impact oncitizens here in
Springfield will be HUGE and j can personally say that my property and any public surrounding mine will
not be utilized for such a purpose. Why doesn't the city of Eugene pony up the dollars for shelters as
they created this situation under Mayor Kitty Piercy when she stated publicly that they would be build
shelters and welcomed homeless people to their city. This is an absolute clown show and you wo Der
why the mass exodus of citizens in Lane county will continue. It is absolutely unacceptable that private
citizens are losing more rights to privacy and peace due to laws enforced on us by the state. If this is
allowed might I suggest that while all citizens are forced to comply with allowing people camping close
to their homes for example, that Mayor Sean Van Gordon also offer up public property near his home
and all city council members and school board members allow public camping directly near their homes
as well because your constituents will probably be pretty pleased that ALL neighborhoods, bike paths
and playgrounds are open to the public. If areas where city council members live are not open to
camping (we can all read maps) then your decision is made with personal bias and violates your oath to
the city and state of Oregon. Good luck with proceedings I'm sure this will only be a virtual meeting and
you will cut of feeds as has been done in the past. A decision with bias is illegal to make in any state so
please provide zone maps and district maps once decision have been made so the residents of the city
can ensure that all your property values have been affected as well. Thanks
Apr 1, 2023
It is just a bandaid to address the problem, when the real problem is lack of available housing for those
who really want to get off the streets. I feel that that is where efforts need to be concentrated along
Attachment 4, Page 19 of 54
with preventing people becoming homeless in the first place. In addition, we are always going to have
homelessness because many of the people have become entrenched in that lifestyle and are not going
to give up the habits that landed them there in the first place, i.e. substance abuse. There is a certain
sector that wish to continue as they are and to engage in criminal behavior to support themselves.
These are the people that have been, and will in the future, resist any and all efforts to help them. They
just want to live that way. However, they should not be allowed to make everyone else miserable,
including other unhoused individuals, as well as the general public and taxpayers who pay for it all.
Apr 1, 2023
Enforce the law
Apr 1, 2023
There is no way this will work out. All liberal cities have tried this and the end result is the exact same.
I'm sorry they are homeless, but they are making a choice to take free handouts as long as they can
rather than try and better themselves. I along with 90% of the citizens of Spfld and Lane County have
worked hard to have what we have and protect our families. If homeless people, not campers, start
arriving in my area, I will not be happy and me and my neighbors will be making serious waves!
Apr 1, 2023
Camping would be much less of an issue if people didn't try and get money from people and kept the
areas clean
Apr 1, 2023
Stop forcing good people to move away from Springfield. Stop becoming Eugene
Apr 1, 2023
"Public Safety" is a matter of opinion. If that is #1, what does it mean? If the camper has a history of
violence or crimes against children, are they disallowed from camping within city limits? Who
determines that? More pressure on out police??? I think there should be 1 or 2 areas designated for
camping, period. Not on the sidewalk or next to a bike path or businesses or homes. A maintained area
with bathrooms and running water. This will certainly save our taxpayers money in the long run and will
allow our police force to continue protecting our community instead of asking campers to "move along".
Apr 1, 2023
Should not allow overnight camping at any Willamalane Park we pay tax dollars for these nice parks and
facilities. Should not be allowed in residential neighborhoods or near schools. If we have to allow
overnight campers should be for limited hours,duration, designated area, campers need to pick up their
own garbage!, should not cost Springfield tax payers to clean up as has happened in Eugene. Conestoga
huts through community shelters in small groups in designated areas is a good option to explore along
with allowing one or two camping site with limited duration and hours in parking lots where t
Apr 1, 2023
look at the train wreck that Eugene has become. Whatever they do, don't do it in regards to "helping "
the homeless situation.
Apr 1, 2023
States and municipalities that hinder homelessness and prosecute panhandling have less crime and less
drain on government funds.
Apr 1, 2023
Please figure out a way to not allow our town to become overrun with camps like Eugene
Apr 1, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 20 of 54
The City should send out mailers with these questions with a paid return envelope, that way you will get
a more accurate vote.
Apr 1, 2023
A dedicated area for camps that is away from parks and town areas is one thing. We do not need to be
importing problems from Eugene and turning our town into a waste dump. No amount of rules and
regulations are going to prevent the ruin and waste that is left behind by 'urban campers.'
Apr 1, 2023
As a user of parks in the area I'm very concerned with homeless camping creating an unsafe & unsavory
experience to non homeless users
Apr 1, 2023
This is ridiculous. Parks should be clean places to go. I shouldn't have to worry about drugs, crime when I
take my child to the park
Apr 1, 2023
Let the homeless be! Until you are willing to invite them into your home to live... MIND YOUR OWN
BUSINESS!
Apr 1, 2023
Springfield band camping- look at Eugene/ Portland it's trashy
Mar 31, 2023
1 hope that the code is able to help support people impacted by the lack of affordable housing in this
area while maintaining public safety and sanitation. The 'safe sleep' sites and conestoga but villages in
Eugene have been very effective and I hope Springfield can implement similar programs.
Mar 31, 2023
There should be greater access to camping given the rate of homelessness in this area.
Mar 31, 2023
Can the City not comply with HB -3115 and just accept paying a fine/penalty to the State or such? As a
homeowner and taxpayer in Springfield for over 30 years that would be my vote - don't comply, leave
the current camping ordinances in place just as they are. I will happily write a check rather than have
Springfield become Eugene with the deplorable state of affairs from the homeless drug addicts & the
resulting daily terrible effects on the local businesses and the residents' safety & quality of life. Please
don't lose sight of the fact that there are two groups; drug addicts that choose the lifestyle and
homeless that just need resources and brief help to restabilize (rarely found in a tent on a sidewalk or in
a park); these 2 groups are not the same population. If Springfield has to comply then please write a
strict law and allow the SPD to also enforce strict compliance with the many existing regulations & laws
prohibiting littering, indecent exposure, drinking & urinating in public, obstructing access to building
entrances, open burning, verbal harassment, etc. Write in clear provisions outlining the rights of
property owners/residents in dealing with immediate issues that will arise. Ban camping from
downtown & any abutting open areas - don't let all the hard work & funds put into the revitalizing of
downtown go down in flames with the loss of visitors and property values. Living in Springfield with the
current camping laws is a bastion of relief from being in Eugene. The marked difference in daily crimes
committed against citizens in Eugene alone is a measurable fact to weigh in decisions.
Mar 31, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 21 of 54
Yes, let them stay in Eugene since they've already ruined that city or go back to the state they came
from. Stop enabling these people, thier not homeless, they choose to live that way. Deal with them
every day all day long and it's rediculous
Mar 31, 2023
Don't encourage more homeless, unemployed, mental health challenged people to move here or stay!!
Mar 31, 2023
Public safety 1st please
Mar 31, 2023
let them camp in eugene
Mar 31, 2023
My family and I will happily move from the state if Springfield begins to look and feel like Eugene. We
are not talking about a few down & out families here. Consider that "homeless" also includes the crazy
drug addicts who roam the streets, stealing, defecating, and harassing PRODUCTIVE citizens. With that
in mind, how many of those individuals are you ok with? They will sleep where your kids walk to and
from school, so how many is an acceptable number? What kind of questions are these? Zero is the
answer. Zero homeless camps on Springfield. We didn't vote for this..
Mar 31, 2023
This is a sham! There has to be something against this measure for private property owners and for the
decency of our streets
Mar 31, 2023
It's a bad idea to open up camping on public lands. A trip through parts of Eugene or Portland shows the
amount of waste that is left behind when "campers" leave, and also shows the amount of trash/waste
that is collected while campers utilize the space. The news regularly talks about the biohazardous waste
that is left behind, this includes but isn't limited to, bodily fluids and used needles.
Mar 31, 2023
Your not helping. Your just like Eugene. Give them shelter off our streets in the woods somewhere
Mar 31, 2023
It would be a horrible mistake to allow this. We do not want to turn into the drug infested trash bin
Eugene is now
Mar 31, 2023
Designated camping sites with regulations and supervision would be ideal.a
Mar 31, 2023
Let us continue to do what we can to incentivize personal responsibility, contributing to society, and
sobriety.
Mar 31, 2023
Close the dispensary! The homeless will move on. The police/fire department are too short handed! One
fire station is going on 7 call a shift a waste of 7 hrs ! Stand against the state mandate for camp
Mar 31, 2023
1 wonder if this will influence the events of campers and response by law officers to unwanted campers
on private property.
Mar 31, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 22 of 54
Not to include our Parks, especially near schools or residential areas.
Mar 31, 2023
no
Mar 31, 2023
Homeless people leave large amounts of trash everywhere.
Mar 31, 2023
1 have to pay to camp. The homeless should also contribute in some way and pay for they stay.
Mar 31, 2023
Keep them in Eugene!
Mar 31, 2023
1 don't think we should allow camping anywhere for more than one night.
Mar 31, 2023
We do not want Springfield to become like Eugene tolerating homelessness to such a tolerated extent.
It's been ridiculous. As a resident I take the crime accompanied by addiction and homelessness
seriously. They often go hand in hand.
Mar 31, 2023
1 do not feel that camping within the city limits is ok. It brings drug use drug sales , crime and violence to
the town. Also leads to a feeling of not being safe or able to be in these areas without filling that a crime
could happen.
Mar 31, 2023
Springfield has worked very hard to shake the 'Springtucky' reputation it had for many years. We have a
blossoming downtown/Main St and our family feels far more safe here than we have in recent years in
Eugene. It would be an absolute shame to allow Springfield to make the same egregious mistakes made
in Eugene with rampant crime, drug use, etc. Many people I know flat refuse to go to certain areas of
Eugene. Please make a common sense policy that won't have the same ill effects as Eugene, while also
having compassion and understanding for people experiencing homelessness. Perhaps we ensure there
are resources for these people in order to give them somewhere to go after whatever time limit has
been reached.
Mar 31, 2023
Get a job and get to work. There is a labor shortage and not because there's not enough people to fill
the positions. start participating in the functional world and quit using homelessness as a reason for
drug / alcohol use and using up all the resources for people who fell upon hard times and need the
resources to get back on track.
Mar 31, 2023
I do not want Springfield to look like Eugene. Do NOT do that to Springfield residents.
Mar 31, 2023
Prefer a regulated group setting for families and/or single individual like St. Vincent DePaul has.
Mar 31, 2023
1 live across from a park that going back in time had a problem with needles and paraphernalia in the
children's play area thus people didn't bring their children. A better job of cleanup has made it a good
place for kids. We don't want that to change.
Mar 31, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 23 of 54
If camping is allowed on public property it must be on property specifically designated for camping with
limits, not any or all public property.
Mar 31, 2023
Needs to be restricted. We don't want to be like Eugene and Portland.
Mar 31, 2023
1 am concerned about the safety factor for local residents.
Mar 31, 2023
One of the main reasons I moved from Eugene to Springfield was to get away from the crime, personal
harassment, theft, and environmental destruction that public camping caused there. If you change the
code to allow public camping it will destroy this beautiful city.
Mar 31, 2023
PLEASE find legal ways to severely limit camping.
Mar 31, 2023
The overall preference would be to see this limit the number of campers/sites to as few as possible
Mar 31, 2023
Campsites are not an answer Use the new stadium money from the county to assist in housing people
and cap rent increases
Mar 31, 2023
Before the code is changed and enacted, the city needs to have a solid enforcement plan that includes
empowered enforcement personnel, clearly defined and posted guidelines, and posted consequences
for violations. Do not make rules if you lack the will or means to enforce them.
Mar 31, 2023
Camping on private property should not be allowed
Mar 31, 2023
Please don't let Springfield become Eugene!
Mar 31, 2023
ESSENTIAL: have police use their heat -sensitive cameras (aka thermal imagers) to see if anyone is in the
tent. Here in Eugene, it appears that many of them are set up but are empty, as odd as that may sound.
Mar 31, 2023
1 would limit it as much as possible. I do not want Springfield turning into eugene. The cost is high in
both maintenance, safety, crime, impacts to businesses, and impacts to the environment.
Mar 31, 2023
The safety and rights of all citizens should be respected. We have a right to visit businesses, parks,
schools, and other public locations without fear and exposure to human waste and garbage. This is an
important issue to my family and I, it impacts where I live and how I vote.
Mar 31, 2023
Permitted sites should be much more structured, All this trash flowing into our rivers and oceans is a
travesty! So many times biking the trail I have been in unsafe situations; such as a woman with her cart
loaded with scrap boards who almost ran into me
Mar 31, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 24 of 54
I HATE that Springfield is being forced into this, I feel if at the very least there needs to be as many
restrictions in place as possible to prevent our city from becoming the next Eugene. There are shelters
available, the unhoused not utilizing shelter have drug addiction issues among mental health and
criminal patterns. I don't want those people in my community.
Mar 31, 2023
Keep the code as is. They should get job
Mar 31, 2023
Drugs,litter &crime
Mar 31, 2023
1 feel something needs to be done but allowing camping in public areas will be the down fall of
springfield and we are just now getting downtown usable again. I would hate to see that go backwards! I
know we don't want homeless camps in our neighborhoods! To allow this would be a travesty.
Mar 31, 2023
Don't ruin the parks with campers allowed everywhere. Ban camping.
Mar 31, 2023
1 don't think we should allow for campers anywhere. Send them to Eugene.
Mar 31, 2023
Keep them in eugene. So make our rules stricter than there's.
Mar 31, 2023
this is opening the door to more trouble
Mar 31, 2023
no
Mar 31, 2023
Get them involved in community cleanup
Mar 31, 2023
1 believe people should be allowed 1 evening, for 8 hours in one spot. They should be expected to move
and be up by 5 am daily and not camping into the afternoon.
Mar 31, 2023
goverment officials are blind to the fact that it is less a homelessness problem and more of a drug
addiction problem. we need to have some safe place for the general public also
Mar 31, 2023
Although I understand the plight of the homeless, I also understand that this situation will evolve into a
long term problem for Springfield, as it has for Eugene. It's vital that a large area outside of the main
residential, park and business areas should be set aside for these camps.
Mar 31, 2023
1 strongly disagree with allowing people to camp on public property. This is not good for local businesses
and has the potential to be very unsafe for other members of the community.
Mar 31, 2023
Please be compassionate. Dig down deep for empathy.. My small family were lucky to find our
motorhome, finance it due to good credit, and eventually a permanent space in a mobile home park.
Most of the homeless don't have a fraction of those resources. Even being homeless in a motorhome
Attachment 4, Page 25 of 54
was extremely challenging. Also, don't forget about the large number of pets the homeless have.
Providing dog poo bags and garbage receptacles in these camping areas may help a great deal.
Mar 31, 2023
public safety is first.
Mar 31, 2023
It's sad that we can't come up with other alternatives to help the homeless. My daughter lives in
Portland and with the city allowing and welcoming campers, it's become a monster of a problem. It's sad
to see Springfield deciding to follow suit. Our family will consider moving, unfortunately.
Mar 31, 2023
If you are going to allow camp sites all around the city, definitely a security/ law enforcement increase
will be needed. Also more assistance from Cahoots will also be important
Mar 31, 2023
Build more low cost housing, increase size of shelter capacity and services. If you must set a time period,
from two hours before dusk to two hours after dawn?
Mar 31, 2023
Parks, trails and open spaces are not the places this camping should occur.
Mar 31, 2023
Keep our children safe, would like to feel safe taking my grandchildren to the park!
Mar 31, 2023
If a driver is tired and needs a 15 minute nap so they pull over, let them nap and don't ticket them.
Public campers ought to serve the public by liter pick up
Mar 31, 2023
1 really do not want to see our nice city filled with homeless people feel it is their right to put a tent
wherever they want to.
Mar 31, 2023
We do not need or want homeless camping.
Mar 31, 2023
1 work in Eugene and experience the public camping everywhere. I do not want to see that spectacle in
my beloved Springfield
Mar 31, 2023
none yet
Mar 31, 2023
Please keep the community safe.
Mar 31, 2023
Out of residential areas and off of sidewalks.
Mar 31, 2023
Camping along the river should be prohibited.
Mar 31, 2023
How about sleeping/camping on public property with an 10 hour limit?
Mar 31, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 26 of 54
Please work with other service providers so that in city camping is not a transactional Band-Aid that
contributes to the problem. If other services are involved and nearby, maybe they can support people
who are ready and want to transition out of homelessness.
Mar 31, 2023
Strongly disapprove of any homeless camp sites.
Mar 31, 2023
Keep Springfield clean
Mar 31, 2023
1 wish this wasn't happening. This is what has separated Springfield from Eugene and why we moved
here - because camping wasn't allowed, which provided us with clean parks and safe spaces to walk. I
understand this is state law and would strongly support as many restrictions/limitations as possible. We
can't keep enabling this problem and expecting a change.
Mar 31, 2023
Jogging around Eugene, I've personally seen homeless people doing drugs in the open, smelled them
doing drugs under the bridge I was running over, had them yell obscenities at me and at my wife. These
people need real help allowing them to "camp" on public property isn't helping them it isn't helping
anyone it's going to cost the tax payers money that could be used to get them real help. I really don't
want jogging through Springfield parks to feel like jogging through Eugene parks there is a huge
difference.
Mar 31, 2023
I'm very scared for the safety of my family if approved to camp on public land
Mar 31, 2023
Lane county provides so many services, no one wants to move on or work, it's horrible having drug use
and trash everywhere.
Mar 31, 2023
This is going to make all public spaces unsafe for children and the tax paying public to use. We should
get the choice to pay for public spaces if they are going to be used for homeless. Eugene has a huge
problem with all their public parks being too dangerous for the general public and now this is going to
be Springfield as well.
Mar 31, 2023
Tell them to walk over to eugene where they love the homeless.
Mar 31, 2023
1 do not want to set this in Springfield.
Mar 31, 2023
When they go, they leave trash, needles & feces
Mar 31, 2023
Do not allow homeless camping PERIOD!!
Mar 31, 2023
We need to bring b ack accountability through responsibility of ones self via civil service. Mentally ill
need to have services available 24/7.
Mar 31, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 27 of 54
No
Mar 31, 2023
Can't stress enough to get the homeless into, mental health treatment, drug treatment, or job training &
placement programs
Mar 31, 2023
1 don't think camping should be allowed in public parks, near businesses, or in residential areas. There
should be designated areas that are actively managed by the city. Sanitation, trash colletion, and
maintaining law and order should be a priority.
Mar 31, 2023
1 enjoy living in Springfield. It is nice not round a corner and seeing a lot of litter or camp sites that are
not cared for by the people who are staying there. Springfield fields waste safer than our neighboring
city because of how it is now period I hate to see the change
Mar 31, 2023
1 feel that I understand the need but what I would hope to happen is a truly dedicated area that has the
least impact to others. Have a designated area that is in one location and have it strictly regulated and in
an area that is bot dispersed throughout the city.
Mar 31, 2023
1 love Springfield and the fact that I can go out safely by myself with my dogs. None of my friends in
Eugene feel safe doing that. Keep Springfield a safe place! Just like the no panhandling law has kept it a
much safer city!
Mar 31, 2023
We should not allow our city to turn into a cesspool like Eugene. We should not allow any camping as it
will drive tax payer out of area who will no longer feel safe. It will also increase property crimes.
Mar 31, 2023
1 pick up garbage everyday downtown and in the surrounding neighborhood. The few homeless folks
around leave cigarette butts, which puppies like to eat, garbage, and ask for me for money or cigarettes.
I do not want camping in front of my house or the neighborhood where I walk my dog. I have called
cahoots several times with struggling folks walking downtown.
Mar 31, 2023
Make it as restrictive as legally possible and strictly enforce the code.
Mar 31, 2023
Send them back to Eugene. Springfield has worked hard to get better and be clean.
Mar 31, 2023
Why do they camp for free but I pay for everything.
Mar 30, 2023
Illegal campers should lose their benefits.
Mar 30, 2023
Police harassing these people pressures them to not exist and helps nothing. I'm tired of people being
penalized and harassed for existing. Approaches should be from the standpoint of, 'how best can we
serve this community right nowT Not, 'how much do we tolerate?'
Mar 30, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 28 of 54
Active public intervention is a necessity, including restriction and enforcement.
Mar 30, 2023
Keep Springfield safe for its tax paying residents
Mar 30, 2023
Housing first
Mar 30, 2023
do not allow camping in springfield
Mar 30, 2023
People should not be camping on public property. Many of the homeless population don't want to work
or get off drugs. If they refuse help then they should be put in jail for not obeying all the laws the rest of
us have to follow.
Mar 30, 2023
Start enforcing laws and lock up criminals and get mentally ill people the care they need. cae
Mar 30, 2023
We don't need more drugs or crime in Springfield. Portland is bad enough and all they do is throw
money on the homeless problem and it gets worse and worse.
Mar 30, 2023
This survey is incredibly confusing, worded poorly and should not be used to collect confusing
information
Mar 30, 2023
Makeshift campers not allowed
Mar 30, 2023
1 do not think camping should be allowed in the city of Springfield. Look at how much garbage, filthy
public spaces, and crime happens around the camps that are in Eugene.
Mar 30, 2023
No
Mar 29, 2023
1 am sympathetic toward the unhoused, however, my main concerns are related to my family's safety,
the public's safety, and public health/sanitary conditions. There needs to be a balance of services and
getting the unhoused to move on. I also would not want to encourage more unhoused to come over to
Springfield by providing too many support services, this is what seems to have happened to Eugene, and
Eugene is just awful now. My neighbors are concerned about their home values, and I confess so am 1.
And I do understand that is a selfish concern, however it is a very large investment. I have friends that
own businesses in Springfield, and this may negatively impact them. Look at Portland and all the
business owners who are leaving, plus the residents that are leaving. I understand that this is a very
tough subject, and I may be saying something that is unpopular. I am fortunate, as I have choices. I can
pick-up and leave Springfield if it gets worse, but that would be so unfortunate as I would lose my
neighbors that I have built relationships over many years. These are the things people buy houses for,
for communities and neighbors and stability. I already feel like I am losing the community that I've
invested in. Ultimately, you will all decide what you want to. However, please do not be surprised if
people begin to vote with their feet and begin to leave.
Mar 29, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 29 of 54
camping codes are a band aid solution. We need real reform and low income housing and specific
dedicate sites for longer term camping. Permitting camping in parks and public solutions is not the
answer. Instead of spending resources and time on this, efforts need to be made to increase income,
housing, and social services. The homeless situation is a direct result of poor planning for our society.
Our society should be based on humanitarian needs and concerns and not on capitalist motivations.
Mar 29, 2023
We need to have services available to campers to find housing, substance abuse and daily needs like
bathrooms, showers and garbage bins. Contract those services with local providers like st. Vincent or
community service providers.
Mar 29, 2023
Please look into St Vincent dePaul Eugene Service Station model. They really do the best they can with
some of the most vulnerable people - those with severe mental illness who have been totally
abandoned by the very system that is supposed to care for them. It is beyond heartbreaking.
Mar 29, 2023
Totally against it. I chose Springfield for my business location precisely BECAUSE they have reasonable
restrictions on panhandling and public camping.
Mar 29, 2023
Educate residents on who to call for code violations
Mar 29, 2023
1 work in an office near downtown. We have people sleeping, eating, littering, crapping and pissing on
the property. We clean it up with all the associated risks of cleaning up potential biohazards... but what
choice to we have. It's frustrating that I feel the need to patrol the property in the morning so that my
less bold colleagues can feel safe coming to the office. Also, we end up having to pay to remove large
amounts of trash, including discarded clothing and medical supplies. We currently have at least a 50
gallon contractors bag worth of mildewing clothes and bags.
Mar 29, 2023
No camping at all.
Mar 29, 2023
Turning Springfield into an open air campground will only increase drug use, property crime, violent
crime, create unsanitary and dangerous environmental conditions and strongly contribute to a
significant decrease in the quality of life in our city. Springfield residents and businesses have worked
very hard the last ten years to transform the downtown area into a wonderful place to spend a safe
evening. There are no social services in the city that can provide assistance to those who truly want to
get off the streets. I fully support helping those who WANT help to get off the streets. What I don't
support is transforming our city into another freak show like Eugene and Portland.
Mar 29, 2023
Please do not become like Eugene, it is disgusting here and downtown Springfield has done too much to
turn things around to slide backwards due to camps.
Mar 29, 2023
This is a very slippery slope. Eugene and Portland are perfect examples of what NOT to do.
Mar 29, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 30 of 54
My strongest concern is that I don't want people camping on the parking strips or in alleys in
neighborhoods.
Mar 29, 2023
The update should be specific regarding camping in a tent or sleeping outside due to homelessness as
well as camping in a vehicle
Mar 29, 2023
If Springfield has to allow a CODE for time they can camp I would hope the CODE/LAW would be enforce
cause if not Springfield will be the next Eugene
Mar 29, 2023
1 do not support camping. I have seen what other cities who have been the opposite of our city code and
those cities have turned to absolute trash. Springfield has worked hard to keep and upkeep our city and
now its going to go to trash just like the others. The issue is just like any other law or ordinance people
wont follow it and then arises more issues. Its illegal to murder people and yet people still do it. I feel
that laxing the camping law is like giving a mouse a cookie.
Mar 29, 2023
1 honestly do not want to see any areas in Springfield become Washington -Jefferson park. I do not want
people residing in Springfield facing the discomfort and fear associated with having strangers camping in
front of or near their homes. I understand people facing homelessness deserve dignity and respect, but
with chronic homelessness comes drug use, sanitary issues, and public safety concerns. I think the
current camping code works great for this city, and we should not make it more lenient.
Mar 29, 2023
Designated areas would make the camping more manageable both for residents and law enforcement
as well as social services outreach programs
Mar 29, 2023
Keep Springfield clean - we DO NOT want to look like Eugene!!
Mar 29, 2023
no
Mar 29, 2023
Parks and public spaces can't be allowed to be overrun. We have living and building codes, those
shouldn't be ignored.
Mar 29, 2023
NIMBY is going to be a difficult problem for tax paying citizens. How can we serve our citizens? The
mission and st Vincent de Paul have done amazing work with very little money. How do we work with
them to get more shelters like they have created?
Mar 29, 2023
1 think the city should stand up to the feds and state and appeal this ruling to a higher court. It is
ridiculous to allow bums to be able to sleep all around town. The people who "experience"
homelessness have plenty of resources already, the rest are drug addled, alcoholics, mentals or are sex
offenders who chose a lawless lifestyle. Camping in Springfield should be uncomfortable so they go
somewhere else. Otherwise, expect a rise in crime and more litter around town.
Mar 29, 2023
My biggest concern is safety / maintenance for parks where camping is happening . I live near the By
Gully Path and there has been a lot of garbage down in the creek, fires spreading into trees, and
Attachment 4, Page 31 of 54
destruction of property. I used to call and report camping activities but over the years I gave up because
I felt like it didn't make any difference. I'd like to see some sort of balance where the area is still cared
for if homeless people need a place to camp.
Mar 29, 2023
Camping is overrun in Springfield and if not delt with soon people will begin to migrate from Eugene and
farther reaching areas. This is a lifestyle choices, people are moving to Oregon from other States
because they know the law can do little to nothing about it.
Mar 29, 2023
1 think we need to make every effort to ensure the camping is very temporary (12 hrs overnight only)
and avoids larger gatherings where problems start. I volunteered for several years for the city and felt
relatively safe walking out of city hall at night and frequently visiting nearby shops and restaurants. But
if there were to be homeless individuals camping nearby, I would feel very uncomfortable and would
rethink and/or limit my visits downtown. I don't go to downtown Eugene at night for this reason. As a
Springfield property taxpayer, I would rather pay additional taxes to help fund shelters and services than
allow people to openly camp on public property and possibly cause problems for everyone else. Rather
than focus so much on rules regarding camping, let's give these individuals a safe place to stay where
they can get the help they need. I would rather pay for this than pay to fix all the problems that come
with allowing homeless camps to form.
Mar 29, 2023
We don't want Springfield to turn into Portland or Eugene. Keep our city clean.
Mar 29, 2023
People should not be allowed to "camp" in Springfield.
Mar 29, 2023
If over night shelters are provided camping should not be allowed
Mar 29, 2023
Yes. People going through the hardest time of their lives deserve to rest without fear.
Mar 29, 2023
The city should do more to help so less people need to camp.
Mar 29, 2023
Find an answer to help the majority, find other programs to keep people housed, to prevent the number
to grow. Have health care options and have a low impact on parks, places where kids play and far from
schools
Mar 29, 2023
Maybe consider funding resources to helping get these people real housing.
Mar 29, 2023
Most concern is for children and the impact on the community/safety. I do. It feel safe in Eugene
because of their homelessness problem and the bike paths are littered with garbage.
Mar 29, 2023
We don't want Springfield to become the next Portland or Eugene. This entire state is becoming an
embarrassment.
Mar 29, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 32 of 54
Do not follow what the city of Eugene is doing. They're reasons why communities that have strict
camping ordinances do not have crime issues. Portland, Salem, and Eugene have a history of issues.
Mar 29, 2023
Can the city create a safe sleep site for campers and tents like Eugene did so there is a place for people
to camp other than roadsides and parks? I am against campers near sensitive environments like rivers ,
wetlands and streams and I think that placing them near bathrooms and dumpster are of most
importance.
Mar 29, 2023
No more campers!!
Mar 29, 2023
1 think that there should be a vacancy tax for empty properties, the places could be utilized to help make
Springfield a safe place for people to transition to stability, escape the dangers of homelessness, and
combat blight.
Mar 29, 2023
Please keep camping off residential streets. Who will clean up the garbage?.
Mar 29, 2023
1 declined to meaninhfully respond to many of the questions due to unclear wording. When you ask, the
city should consider the impact on communities of color, for example, what does strong agree or
disagree indicate? If I said disagree, would it be a mandate to shunt unhoused people into communities
of color. If I said agree, would it be a mandate to chase off people camping in those areas? How does it
consider homeless people of color? What I'm not concerned with is that we as a city work on reducing
homelessness more than simply reducing the visibility of homelessness. I volunteer with homeless
people frequently and understand that dealing with some of them can be unpleasant, but that doesn't
mean homeless people as a group are dangerous or undeserving of dignity.
Mar 29, 2023
I'm not worried about having to see homelessness, I'm worried about homelessness and hope that any
actions taken include plans to eliminate as much homelessness in Springfield as possible.
Mar 29, 2023
Please keep our town safe. I've had a friend get jump on the bike path going to work from Springfield
into Eugene. I would also recommend having sanitation/Porta pots available. No fun cleaning up human
Poo
Mar 29, 2023
Not in the ROW, including planting strips in front of homes or businesses
Mar 29, 2023
Please take parking strips in residential areas off the table. It's not safe for those camped there with
drivers flying through. It can be unsafe and damaging for property value for the home owners depending
on the intoxication level of the people camped there.
Mar 29, 2023
Please work to make sure our parks and trails do not become overrun with camps. The parks are a
luxury we are lucky to have.
Mar 29, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 33 of 54
I think the conestoga huts and other sanctioned camping areas need to be considered. The community
needs to do more, but it also becomes a safety issue walking on paths where people are camping.
Mar 29, 2023
Outside of the Springfield area so that visitors don't have to see their mess
Mar 29, 2023
Can we designate specific areas in a public place, specifically where there are bathrooms, to avoid the
threat of unhealthy conditions for the people coming to the public areas just for enjoyment. Stepping or
sitting in human feces really takes the fun out of an afternoon in the park.
Mar 29, 2023
There should be no "camp code" there needs to be a designated spot for All them to go to
Mar 29, 2023
Help the most vulnerable first.
Mar 29, 2023
It's sad and an issue. Campers should have a designated place away from neighborhoods and business.
Far away from public bike paths and schools. Outskirts of town. Manned by city employees where rules
and regulations are being upheld. Resources that help facilitate personal growth and job recruiting and
betterment is happening. Drug and alcohol testing at random.
Mar 28, 2023
Please do not become the next City of Eugene and welcome in homeless. Please keep residential areas
clear of All camping.
Mar 28, 2023
1 would support policies focusing on temporary (limited duration) camping and connecting campers to
community services that might help with their needs.
Mar 28, 2023
Camping should be banned in city limits period
Mar 28, 2023
The state has created this problem. The state should be required to establish and pay for campsites. If
they don't agree, start shipping the homeless to Salem.
Mar 28, 2023
Get people into group homes or facilities.
Mar 28, 2023
1 believe people should not be allowed to camp on the street regardless of whether the land is public or
private. We need to provide people housing.
Mar 28, 2023
We should minimize the number of services provided that encourage more homeless to move to our
area. Require homeless folks to abide by rules governing sanitation, garbage and illegal activities. The
truly, mentally ill need to be in care facilities. The drug and alcohol dependent need to be in rehab
facilities.
Mar 28, 2023
We're all animals on this earth, no one should be without somewhere safe to stay
Mar 28, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 34 of 54
I don't believe camping should be allowed, however, it should be closely regulated and those camping
should be required to maintain their area and maintain cleanliness.
Mar 28, 2023
Stop criminalizing houselessness period. Majority of the houseless population don't choose to be
houseless and are just trying to survive like you and me.
Mar 28, 2023
More shelters need to be built. Allowing camping on public property is not a solution. More shelters
provide more jobs and cleaner for public .
Mar 28, 2023
some of the questions in this survey are worded in misleading ways that support the continued
oppression of people living on the streets. To be clear, homeless folks should be allowed to safely stay in
designated sanitary sites, ideally with access to support services, as long as is necessary until they are
able to transition to more permanent housing.
Mar 28, 2023
Allowing people to sleep overnight at parks (away from features and environmentally sensitive areas)
makes sense as they are maintained regularly, not typically used at night, and have bathroom and trash
facilities. Don't force people into areas with no bathroom facilities unless you want medieval diseases to
make a comeback. This is a public property issue. Home owners and business owners shouldn't be made
to clean up trash and human waste where the city allows to people to camp. Invest in adequate shelter
space and don't allow public camping, this shouldn't even be a thing.
Mar 28, 2023
I'm disappointed in the city for not treating unhoused individuals more compassionately as the law
requires. This was a badly designed survey. I disagree with the 24 hr limit because I think there shouldn't
be a limit but if I mark I disagree, you don't know why. That's one example of how this survey will result
in bad data.
Mar 28, 2023
If nothing can be done about rent control for folks, then more permanent shelters are needed. That
said, the ability to sleep is a human right.
Mar 27, 2023
Regardless of what else you do, making sure that enforcing this is done in humane and dignified ways is
important.
Mar 27, 2023
Public property should be able to support the public. If there is not enough places to camp, alternative
housing should be provided. Housing should be a basic need.
Mar 27, 2023
We cannot address camping without addressing the underlying issues: an insane housing market, lack of
affordable housing, lack of mental health services, lack of accessible SUDS services. Camping is
dangerous and unsafe for everyone, housed and unhoused so PLEASE address the underlying issues.
Also, if you wouldn't want this encampment on your street, don't subject other residents to it. Thank
you.
Mar 27, 2023
Homeless = theft; do not allow near retail businesses
Mar 27, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 35 of 54
Instead of providing a place to camp -the city needs to deal with the reasons why people are homeless in
the 1st place-drugs/alcohol
Mar 27, 2023
1 feel very strongly that we should not be sweeping or moving unhoused people who are camping
constantly. It is very bad for wellbeing and for building stability. If shelters are full or if shelters restrict
substance use, or if people have animals, then camping is often the only viable option. I have seen
young teens all the way up to elderly veterans and people with disabilities experience homelessness and
camp. Until we can create an effective rapid rehousing system and long term solutions to homelessness,
I think camping is a perfectly viable way to survive. Human life matters and we need to care about our
unhoused neighbors.
Mar 27, 2023
Please give people safe places with bathroom facilities rather than forcing people to camp on public
landsM
Mar 27, 2023
1 think it will be a mess.
Mar 27, 2023
Take intro consideration of the volume of crime that will increase and how it impairs the ability to help
the people who want that help. Drugs and alcohol bring an array of uncontrolled behaviors. If we allow
free camping it will be the end of a safe place for any Springfield home.
Mar 27, 2023
We should be doing more as a community for the homeless rather than create / pass laws to hinder
them to sleep wherever they can.
Mar 27, 2023
Sanitary facilities and social services should be onsite and accessible, 24/7.
Mar 27, 2023
This could easily get out of control and hard to enforce, once you open the gates, the flood will come,
just like in Eugene.
Mar 27, 2023
The negative impacts to communities and residents would be astronomical if individuals were allowed
to camp in public areas.
Mar 27, 2023
No
Mar 27, 2023
Not at this time.
Mar 27, 2023
Personally I am opposed to any code updates for the purposes of assisting transient population.
Mar 27, 2023
1 do not want people camping out in public at all
Mar 27, 2023
allowing public camping has increased unsanitary, unsafe environments. It has fostered situations of
increased substance abuse in public settings, exposing the public to individuals use and behaviors.
Mar 27, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 36 of 54
No camping allowed due to increased crime, public safety concerns and sanitization concerns.
Mar 27, 2023
We should not allow camping on public land.
Mar 26, 2023
There are many places that I have found where the homeless leave sometimes during the summer.
During the time, the neighborhood surrounding the areas have more theft, drugs, even I've had men
exposing them selves near my backyard. An example of an area would be the old Mill Road from
warehouser that goes along the rail road tracks. I would feel safer, if chain-link fences would be replaced
with wooden fences. Also, I feel like if there's going to be camping spots then they have the right to have
cameras so that crime would be documented better. I feel for the homeless I am one of the people that
keep snacks in my car to make sure that in Eugene, when we see somebody holding the sign, we can
feed them. However, I live near two schools, two parks, and one big trail from willamalane. Safety for
my child and others are a priority. I also have seen the amount of trash and lack of bathroom toilet lids.
Could be an issue as well. How are you going to keep track of how many nights a person camps at a
certain area?
Mar 26, 2023
Trash is one of the main problems. The city needs to have a homeless task force like it would have a
gang task force. They respond to homeless issues and monitor homeless camps.
Mar 25, 2023
1 don't want them camping here or living on the streets. They steal use drugs and fight plus the shit they
leave is unacceptable.
Mar 25, 2023
I think there needs to be plans put into place about cleanup at these sites. Our workplace currently has
someone who has camped out almost every day and when we come to work we have to deal with
garbage, needles, and human waste. It does not feel like a welcoming place to be.
Mar 24, 2023
There is empathy for unhoused campers. Yet I understand the business and community aspect of it. It's
a challenge to balance both rights for homeless and rights for businesses. Hopefully the balance can be
achieved between both.
Mar 24, 2023
people need safe, legal places to sleep.
Mar 24, 2023
please actually help these people instead of being a republican and pushing out of sight and out of mind,
do some good for once
Mar 24, 2023
yes, disregard all federal mandates for this and let Eugene continue to be the city of transient homeless
like they want to be!
Mar 24, 2023
24 hour limit will hurt peoples ability to engage in services and work on housing / mental health goals
Mar 24, 2023
I think that all the time spent on updating the camping code could have been better spent on low-
income affordable housing updates
Mar 24, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 37 of 54
n/a
Mar 24, 2023
The city of Springfield is far behind providing services for unhoused folks. It's about time they get their
act together and have to acknowledge that there are unhoused individuals in the community and they
deserve safety and a place to sleep.
Mar 24, 2023
1 strongly disagree with loosening regulations for camping. I think there should be a designated area
away from everyday foot traffic of businesses and homes if this is going to be allowed. And I strongly
believe there needs to be serious regulation and monitoring of these areas to manage safety, sanitation
and drug use.
Mar 24, 2023
Providing bathrooms and dumpsters at camping sites should be essential. Allowing people to stay for
30-90 days would be best to allow for people to feel some sense of stability while looking for other
housing options.
Mar 24, 2023
It's interesting to have a code, but what are the other actions being taken or investigated to determine
cause and effect? What are cities outside of Oregon doing to prevent homelessness and/or provide
services? Even cities with different governmental structures?
Mar 24, 2023
As a former homeless woman, I strongly disagree with the City to allow "Camping". This is turning a
blind eye to the root causes of the problems, and causes crime to rise.
Mar 24, 2023
Really don't want Spfd. to end up looking like other cities.... Portland, Medford etc .... the trash is
horrendous... and as nice and handy as trash containers are .... they aren't used...
Mar 24, 2023
1 don't know what Springfield's current camping code is, but it seems like it works better than Eugene's,
which is a godawful mess. Homelessness seemed to increase dramatically with COVID policies, so
addressing homelessness may have less to do with camping codes and more to do with reversing the
cascade of economic issues directly caused by COVID-19 policies.
Mar 23, 2023
1 would like to share the concern that it is my strong belief that this survey will provide very little reliable
information and will be used against people who are unhoused in our community. The first set of
questions which ask how concern people are about the unhoused community "camping" is so
ambiguous that there will be no good information that comes from it. I believe this survey is somewhat
performative. It's a good way to be able to say oh we asked for public input and got it. Reality is you can
shape this input any way you want it because it is too vague. I'm very concerned about my neighbors not
having shelter. The response should not be taken as consent or permission for the city to further make
the lives of those without shelter intolerable. We have a responsibility as a community. Springfield has
done very little towards providing shelter, with the exception of their assistance in finding locations for
the Egan warming Center. Their assistance there is greatly appreciated. I have lived in this community
now for 23 years. I have seen very little effort taken by the community of Springfield, by the government
of Springfield and our elected officials, to create real solutions for our community's unhoused. From
denying it has a problem to kicking people into Eugene, Springfield has failed repeatedly. Furthermore,
after having witnessed the interaction via video between officer Burke and a community member, I have
little faith that our police department is up to the task. I'm not quite sure how you get humans into the
Attachment 4, Page 38 of 54
folks that wear those uniforms, but the city has a lot of work to do before they earn back the trust of the
community when it comes to the police department. It's very apparent that power has corrupted many
who wear the uniform.
Mar 23, 2023
1 think it is dumb because it doesn't solve the problem. It just allows people to congregate in more cities
in Oregon.
Mar 23, 2023
Using the word "camping" bothers me. When I was a child, our family went on camping trips. We swam
and fished and roasted marshmallows. At 60, forced into homelessness for the first time in my life, I am
not camping! But call it what you will, I say YES..these codes, rules and attitudes toward folks in this
situation definitely need an update, overhaul and to be CHANGED
Mar 23, 2023
Yes Springfield does not need this, we have a lovely city and don't need to become the next Eugene, its
not okay for law abiding citizens trying to get by to be budened by the criminal behavior this will
encourage
Mar 23, 2023
Can I (when this passes) camp overnight at the 'dog park' with my band of relitives instead of paying a
day use fee for reserving a shelter?
Mar 22, 2023
Springfield had gone a superb job of keeping this under control. We don't want to look like Eugene.
Mar 22, 2023
I'm not in favor of it.
Mar 22, 2023
1 suppose distinctions should be made between recreational camping and homeless camping. The
homeless must have a place to go but they should not be completely displacing recreational campers.
Mar 22, 2023
The underlying issue of homelessness needs to be addressed. The solution is not little tent cities all over
the place. We need affordable housing. I would prefer a Conestoga village. Work on building
communities, not isolated pods of tents. I would much rather see a small area of land with some
Conestoga wagons, a garden, bathrooms, garbage and recycling areas that individuals and families can
make "home."
Mar 22, 2023
To allow homeless to camp just brings more homeless.
Mar 22, 2023
The problems arise when someone feels like they can harass or panhandle general population who are
just trying to enjoy their day. I can understand setting up a specific area near a business that provides
services. This gives easy contact to a group like HIV Alliance, or Cahoots. But the problem arises when
people who are experiencing homelessness try to camp in areas that are frequented by the general
public. Especially young members of the general public who may not be strong enough to protect
themselves.
Mar 22, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 39 of 54
This is a bit ridiculous, folks should have a right to rest until the community services become more
available to change the circumstances that leave folks houseless
Mar 22, 2023
We own businesses in eugene and Springfield. It is a welcome relief to not have the struggles at our
springfield business that we do with eugene. Campers around our building, litter, yelling, threatening,
human feces, drug sales and use. Springfield has come so far since implementing the ordinance and has
become a beautiful city. Don't ruin this!
Mar 22, 2023
Have volunteered at the Springfield Egan Warming Center for 5 years now. Have some insight on
homeless needs.
Mar 22, 2023
Keep the campers out of Springfield.
Mar 22, 2023
1 love Springfield because I see very little people camping on the side of the road or in parks and feel
much more safe than in Eugene. Don't turn us into the pigsty that has become of Eugene
Mar 22, 2023
Disapprove of it all
Mar 22, 2023
Should not be allowed at all
Mar 22, 2023
The camping sites should be supervised with rules of codes of conduct enforced.
Mar 22, 2023
Clusters of camps should be limited to 2 units per site. These 2 camp units should be separated by a
minimum of350 feet from other 2 camp units. Littering laws should be enforced, if camp area is not kept
in a tidy manner the camper would not be allowed the privilege of continued use of Springfield open
areas for a period of 10 days.
Mar 22, 2023
There should be rules in place - no drugs etc. Some of the sites in Eugene are appalling.
Mar 22, 2023
Don't criminalize poverty
Mar 22, 2023
The litter issue needs to be handled! If we're goi g to allow camping all over, the city has to solve for
litter.
Mar 22, 2023
People should be allowed to stay in one place for sleeping/resting only. Bpm to7am
Mar 22, 2023
The city needs to tighten the camping code, to not allow our city to become a homeless encampment
site, similar to other cities.
Mar 22, 2023
1 don't think us working tax payers should have to pay for the people who want to NOT WORK, GET
EVERYTHING FOR FREE, THE GARBAGE/DRUGS/DRUGS WE WILL END UP HAVING TO PAY FOR TO CLEAN
Attachment 4, Page 40 of 54
UP INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM CLEAN UP THEMSELVES AND AT OUR EXPENSE. PEOPLE NEED TO QUIT
BEING HANDED EVERYTING FOR FREE, TO TOP IT OFF PUTTING OUR POLICE OFFICER, FIREMEN AND
EMT AT RISK HAVING TO RISK THEIR LIVES FURTHER THAN THEY DO. I NOT IN FAVOR OF ANY OF THIS.
KATE BROWN SHOULD NEVER HAVE COME TO OREGON AND RUINED OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE. IT
SHOULD BE SENT TO A PUBLIC VOTE TOO.
Mar 21, 2023
Don't use the fines for revenue. City will get addicted to green paper meth.
Mar 21, 2023
Don't turn Springfield into Eugene.
Mar 21, 2023
If it is going to be updated then it needs to be enforced
Mar 21, 2023
Have drug safe camps available.
Mar 21, 2023
Unless the city were to add more shelters, I think camping, within limits, needs to be allowed.
Mar 21, 2023
Please find a way to offer beds to them all so we get them off our streets
Mar 21, 2023
The mess they leave behind - there needs to be a plan for daily clean up. And camping should only be
overnight. It will help with how much mess they leave behind
Mar 21, 2023
Please be kind to the houseless population and work towards solutions that benefit them and improve
the situation for all
Mar 21, 2023
1 think Oregon should work on a tiny home project that can act as transitional housing.
Mar 21, 2023
1 hope that "public safety" includes the safety of those individuals who are camping. Shelter and housing
assistance is limited, and some folks do not have any better options.
Mar 21, 2023
1 think there should be a 48 hour time limit to camp if around residents, but no inherent time limit if the
camp site is in the woods, along train tracks, or in an industrial area. In those cases, the limit should be
based on public safety and/or case by case. In general, people should not be made to move if they are
not causing an issue and keeping to themselves.
Mar 21, 2023
Challenge the state law.. don't ruin Springfield like Eugene is.
Mar 21, 2023
No
Mar 21, 2023
No
Mar 21, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 41 of 54
I think it's important to remember that when spaces to camp are limited, it forces unhoused folks to stay
in extremely unsafe or hazardous places.
Mar 21, 2023
1 am glad that camping is being looked into as allowable. This is long overdue - it is necessary to allow
people a safe place to sleep without the threat of criminalization or sweeps. That just leads to
belongings including phones and vital medications being lost/disrupted (and a loss of
connection/communication to potential landlords, social services, employers), more criminal history on
someone's record to pose a barrier to re-entering housing. Living outside is a necessity for a growing
number of our neighbors and it is important that we provide a space for it.
Mar 21, 2023
Your survey questions seem to be coming from the framework of limiting where unhoused people can
be. You need to accept that unhoused people are in our communities and will be until structural
changes in housing and employment happen. With the reality of a lot of unhoused people in our
communities, the focus needs to be on giving them places to be and integrating them as much as
possible, not trying in vain to limit their existence and push them to the edges.
Mar 21, 2023
It would be helpful for the city of Springfield to reach out to resource agencies for unhoused folks
directly (HIV alliance etc) for input on this issue.
Mar 21, 2023
1 would encourage the city of Springfield to reach out to Street Outreach providers for their feedback
and ensure that direct service providers who are on the ground can provide important feedback.
Mar 21, 2023
1 believe that the camping code should more explicitly define what expectations are supposed to be
met.
Mar 21, 2023
STOP SWEEPING SITES! We need to reallocate funding from the SPD, and put them into more social
programs, the police are not the answer
Mar 21, 2023
N/A
Mar 21, 2023
We need to connect folks with more services and not criminalize our unhoused neighbors.
Mar 21, 2023
1 think the city of Springfield should stop criminalizing houselessness. People should be able to live
wherever they feel safe. Whether they have a tent or a house.
Mar 21, 2023
The way the questions on this survey are phrased seem misleading and disguise attempting to clear out
homeless camps as a concern for public safety, when the two are fully able of coexisting
Mar 21, 2023
Humans are humans, regardless of whether or not they have a house or a job. I strongly believe that
houselessness is an issue that should be addressed by the county, but the city could stand to criminialize
fewer folks for the "crime" of existing. Making it illegal for folks to camp only creates overpolicing and
overcriminalization in the city of Springfrield.
Mar 21, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 42 of 54
We should not be looking for ways to make Oregon look more attractive than other states to people
choosing the homeless lifestyle. And yes, for many, it's a choice.
Mar 21, 2023
I'm sick and tired of the theft, littering, drug use and lack of citizen's rights when it comes to this.
Taxpayers foot the bill for the cleanup and law enforcement to deal with them when they could and
should be dealing with more important issues.
Mar 21, 2023
No fine should be imposed. Springfield should have shelter options instead of sending the unhoused to
Eugene. Provide more options for the unhoused to throw their garbage away and use restrooms.
Mar 21, 2023
No camping in the city.
Mar 21, 2023
If the federal and state government have any right to tell us how to manage this problem then they
should also be held accountable fir the product they are about to produce! That means financial
responsibility for police ,jail space lean up. And all other expenditures related to their blind Woke
ruling!!
Mar 21, 2023
Yes. Above, I disagreed with a 24-hour limit. That is because the policy should be flexible, allowing
people to stay longer, especially if it is to accommodate disabilities.
Mar 21, 2023
Please do not allow for camping at parks or open spaces managed by Willamalane. City of Eugene lost
control of their parks when they allowed for camping at public parks, and our parks and paths are an
essential part of what makes Springfield a great place to live.
Mar 20, 2023
No.
Mar 20, 2023
Make it as impossible for homeless to camp in Springfield. Give residence an easy and fast way to turn in
people that are camping after the allotted time or any other violations.
Mar 20, 2023
Ship them out of area
Mar 20, 2023
If you don't protect the tax paying citizens they will leave!
Mar 20, 2023
Campsites should be removed from land owned by individuals, so that impacts to individual personal
property values is eliminated. Not minimized! It should be eliminated!
Mar 20, 2023
This change is being forced on the City, so it's up to the City to increase enforcement of existing laws
that apply to the negative behaviors that tend to be associated with vagrancy. Wherever camping is
allowed, we need increased patrols for theft, burglary, harassment, panhandling, etc. The law says
people can camp, not camp and commit crimes.
Mar 20, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 43 of 54
While I understand that the code needs to be updated, I do strongly encourage this code to take into
account public safety and sanitation when looking at any kind of campsites. I understand that people
sometimes have situations where they may become homeless, however, in my experience, even though
there are places where they could go to get a bed to sleep on and food, they choose not to based on
their drug/alcohol or pet use. The 24 hour limit should be strictly enforced. It is frustrating when a public
citizen such as myself is not able to just camp wherever I would like, the homeless should not be able to
do it either.
Mar 20, 2023
I'm concerned out beautiful and safe Springfield will turn into a dirty and unsafe place like Eugene,
Portland, Seattle. I'm not comfortable going into Eugene anymore. Was recently in Boise and felt very
safe walking in the downtown area.
Mar 20, 2023
If camping is allowed it should only be limited to an area specifically defined by the city, like a
designated parking lot or vacant field. Camping should not be allowed in just any public area.
Mar 20, 2023
Not thrilled
Mar 20, 2023
1 do not like any part of allowing homeless camping but if it must be allowed we need a designated area.
All other public spaces need to be kept free from campers.
Mar 20, 2023
Be the City we can all be proud of and do not allow it. Your Citizens will stand behind you and we can set
an example for other Cities to follow. Probably draw more businesses here and more people will want to
live here
Mar 20, 2023
provide portasans and dumpsters and water sources at larger sites
Mar 20, 2023
It is so sad that it has come to this. There is no one size fits all for this condition, and each cause of
homelessness needs its own fix. Most importantly, whatever the updates to the code are, they should
maintain the safety and livelihood of our communities. Should also be guidelines for the campers to
follow, and consequences if they do not.
Mar 20, 2023
1 like the idea of expansion. The programs through Catholic Community Services and Carry It Forward
are working, but there is not enough available spots for the demand.
Mar 20, 2023
You need to recognize that homeless are citizens and should have the ability to use parks and access
services easily. The more disbanding and distancing you do, the more people are likely to not access
services and become chronic.
Mar 20, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 44 of 54
Please don't let Springfield become what Eugene has become. Springfield is so much safer and cleaner
than Eugene. Do not let these homeless camps ruin our city!
Mar 20, 2023
1 work down in the Whitaker area, very close to the Washington/Jefferson street park. Twice the city
opened that park up to campers and twice it was turned into a toxic waste area. People have set up
camps along the Freeway and when they leave, they leave a huge mess. They don't seem to care for
themselves or their surroundings.
Mar 20, 2023
Providing a choice to prioritize the needs of communities of color and people who are low-income over
addressing the needs of the homeless is misplaced. The homeless are low-income and have a higher rate
of being BIPOC than any other income level. The needs of the homeless should be prioritized above all.
Mar 20, 2023
1 am sympathetic to our homeless population, but I don't think that allowing camping is going to solve
any of their problems. Camping has destroyed many of the places that used to be beautiful in Eugene
and I would hate to see that happen in Springfield. I know our hands are tied by the federal and state
legislature to a degree, but we have got to find a way to protect our city from the destructiveness that
camping causes. With facilities nearby or without, the result seems to be the same. I wish I had a
solution to propose, but I'm not sure what the answer is. I just know that camping is not doing anyone
any favors.
Mar 20, 2023
We can supply larger areas of housing with military styled barracks out of the main city corridors. No
one should be allowed 24-hour access to public spaces.
Mar 20, 2023
As a Springfield home owner homeless camping should not be allowed.
Mar 20, 2023
99.9% of homelessness is due to drug addiction. They will do drugs and rob your property. It should not
and will not be tolerated in Springfield. If they dont like it the Eugene is a mile west. Hornlessness
coincides with the rise of communism!
Mar 20, 2023
Enforcement in the remote areas is important. Nothing more frightening than stumbling on a camp in
our more rugged parks eg Thurston Hills
Mar 20, 2023
Please create "villages" on abandoned or unused property where homeless can be safe and healthy.
Mar 20, 2023
If people must camp and as a city we must provide a location, I would consider putting it in an
abandoned industrial site away from parks, schools and businesses
Mar 20, 2023
1 do not want Springfield to look like Eugene! It's a mess! As an educator, I have a huge heart but we
need to take control of our city and no give leeway or it will be taken advantage of quickly, it's been
proven how quickly it can spin out of control.
Mar 19, 2023
The 1-6 factors above does not work.
Mar 19, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 45 of 54
There are other ways to address this problem then by allowing camping within city limits.
Mar 19, 2023
Yeah bag the plan , be real look at eugene. Springfield would be there in less than 5 years . Please
reconsider again look at eugene homeless pooping in front of businesses and in the parks , garbage
everywhere.
Mar 19, 2023
Camping should be illegal within the city limits. I see so much litter left behind at what appears to be old
camping spots. Who cleans up after the campers leave? They don't. It's embarrassing to see the
campsites.
Mar 19, 2023
Do not allow camping in our city please. We don't want our beautiful city to become Portland or Eugene
Mar 19, 2023
Providing housing will lessen number of campers
Mar 19, 2023
Yes, the city of Springfield needs to adopt safe sleep sites, Conestoga huts, and use available vacant
properties to provide indoor tents access similar to the safe sleep site model used by St. Vincent De
Paul. If this crisis is to be addressed we have to provide viable options. I am proof that the housing first
model can work. If people have access to meeting their basic human needs then they can access
resources to create sustainable change. Not everyone will, but there are many who are trapped and
hopeless with no way off of the streets.
Mar 19, 2023
The sites must have people in charge ON SITE to call for medical emergencies, fire, danger to campers.
Definitely not near schools or places where children are nearby.
Mar 18, 2023
Please invest in expanding shelter spaces. Also, any camping allowed should be in areas with trash
service and bathroom facilities, otherwise we all know where the trash and human wast left over from
"camping" will end up. Also, there should be a 1 bike per person limit unless you want to end up with
public stolen bike chop shops. Strongly enforce any regulations.
Mar 18, 2023
Lease businesses out of business. You can have inside camping. Acess to toiletries/electricity. Parking lot
can be used for campers. This will also allow for ease of some type of safety oversight like security for
emergencies. Everything to be used on a first come, first serve basis. No maximum stay limit. Have
cameras. Offer free resource help.
Mar 18, 2023
Clean the paths and parks up is all i care about
Mar 18, 2023
1 do not want to see all public areas become classified as "camp grounds". It is too generic and allows
too many areas to become potentially overrun. Designated areas would be better.
Mar 18, 2023
No
Mar 18, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 46 of 54
Needs restrooms and garbage along with supervision and services to help them
Mar 18, 2023
Will anyone be going out and talking to unhoused people about this? It might be good for the city to get
out and see where people are currently camping and how they're doing. Near 126 overpass on 5th there
were some pretty trashy camps that I only know about because I've been screamed at by a woman from
the camp from across the street. Downtown library has also become a camping area and it is hard to go
there now. During COVID I was sitting on a bench texting when I had a confrontation with a man I think
was unhoused/having some kind of mental crisis. He yelled at me and cornered me and kept asking for a
taxi but there weren't any taxis running because of COVID shutdown. He got distracted for a moment so
I got away but I've been afraid to hang out there since.
Mar 18, 2023
More decent housing must be a top priority for the city of Springfield.
Mar 18, 2023
I would like to see camping areas that have reasonable expectations and that allow people to stay as
long as they need to and meet the expectations. I think the expectations should be developed through
conversations with people in need of the camping space.
Mar 18, 2023
As an Egan worker, I urge compassion, meaningful options for work, healthcare, personal improvement,
and a sense of personal worth within the broader community.
Mar 18, 2023
Requiring people to move every 24 hrs places undue burden on people experiencing homelessness. I
support my tax dollars being used to provide trash pickup, bathrooms, and other basic services to
camps. Camps should be allowed in Williamalane parks, city parking lots and other city property. Cars
are not more important than people. Allowing people to camp in urban areas will allow easier access to
services, jobs, and public transportation.
Mar 18, 2023
1.) Limit pets, or have a separate camping area where pets are allowed. 2.) Is it possible to remove
campers if they do not use proper receptacles to deposit litter?
Mar 18, 2023
Homeless do not care or want help they only want handouts and feel entitled
Mar 17, 2023
Go to Eugene.
Mar 17, 2023
1 don't believe individuals should be able to camp in neighborhoods or streets.
Mar 17, 2023
1 have chosen to live in Springfield because of the city's policy on public camping, panhandling and
vagrancy.
Mar 17, 2023
Keeping the area clean and having rules and enforcement if rules are broken in the public area. There is
a different in helping and spoon feeding someone
Mar 17, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 47 of 54
If the city would address the high cost of rents and illegal drugs we wouldn't have this homeless crisis.
Mar 17, 2023
No parks, bike paths, or near schools.
Mar 17, 2023
Very worried with the litter and lack of clean up after they leave a site. They need to be help
accountable to the damage they inflict to the site
Mar 17, 2023
People need a place to camp that is safe, has sanitation and trash disposal available. The bigger
problems such as shortage of affordable housing certainly need to be looked at and in the meantime
folks need a place to be.
Mar 17, 2023
1 have had to call SPD on a few instances to deal with inebriated homeless people only to have Cahoots
come out and the individual not accept assistance and they leave and I end up stuck with the person still
not leaving the property after being asked to leave. When I ask someone to leave and they refuse it's
trespassing. Why are our law enforcement officers not able to deal with this instead of passing it off on
Cahoots? I try to be understanding of peoples troubles, but there is a time when they refuse a polite
request to move on that the police need to be able to do their jobs.
Mar 17, 2023
1 do not want homeless camping in the city PERIOD.
Mar 17, 2023
Limit size and time.
Mar 17, 2023
Kick them out to Eugene.
Mar 17, 2023
We can't be like Portland or Eugene they are out of hand, Springfield needed to remain a safe and clean
city
Mar 17, 2023
Property owners/tax payers have chosen to live in Springfield for various reasons, one of the major
reasons being that Eugene has become over ran with homelessness. Springfield has done a good job of
managing the issue and needs to continue to patrol the neighborhood streets to make a safe
environment for children and all community members. A lot of homeless choose to live that way, it is
not the tax payers responsibility to provide for those that choose to live that way.
Mar 17, 2023
I'm afraid Springfield will look like Eugene or Portland
Mar 17, 2023
1 enjoy living in Springfield because we do not have as seemingly bad of a homeless problem as some of
the other towns. I hope this does not change
Mar 17, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 48 of 54
If anything ever happens to my children or myself due to the city allowing drug users to camp in areas
we have to go, you better bet I will SUE the city for every possible cent. This is bullshit. They don't clean
up after themselves and litter DRUG NEEDLES AND FECES. WAKE UP SPRINGFIELD! Thought you were
better than this.
Mar 17, 2023
cleanliness is a big concern with campsites, there must be rules about cleanup or the area becomes
unuseable.
Mar 17, 2023
1 have concerns for residential neighborhoods like mine. We have a church down the street from me
that does allow some camping in their parking lot. When they were running a warming shelter, little
things started disappearing around my house more then ever before. My concern is sanitary,
environmental, and crime.
Mar 17, 2023
As a female small business owner, I am concerned with the growing problem. We have had several
issues/confrontations at the office and it is feeling less and less safe due to drug usage/mental health of
transits passing by.
Mar 17, 2023
We should not be allowing camping and reinforcing the lifestyle of homelessness. We should be
directing those without housing to resources and places where they can stay and get help. a
Mar 17, 2023
Camping outside designated camping sites should be against the law. Camping within should be by
reservation only.
Mar 17, 2023
Dangerous new law with no funding back up or proof it assist homelessness
Mar 17, 2023
How will the decisions made be enforced
Mar 17, 2023
This is disgusting. I can't act like this and keep my home, job & dignity. These people aren't in a spot.
They are perpetually hopeless & refuse to do better. This is horrible to reach our kids & citizens they can
just be a loser and sleep for free in the town square while the suckers work hard & pay for their
disgusting existence.
Mar 17, 2023
I'm annoyed that a survey has to be done to allow hard working tax paying property owners that the
homeless have more rights than we do.
Mar 17, 2023
Do not make any changes. I live in Springfield because we do not tolerate homelessness. If I wanted to
see homeless camps I would move to Eugene, Salem or Portland. Again do not allow any of this camping
in our city.
Mar 17, 2023
Location location location
Mar 17, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 49 of 54
Stop this madness. Drugs/alcohol, crime, unsanitary conditions.
Mar 17, 2023
No camping
Mar 17, 2023
Designating areas that are not next to residential and/or school areas with clean water and toilets
should be a priority. Near social services, not hidden in neighborhoods where children play.
Mar 17, 2023
It should be monitored, There should be a record of who is there and their responsibility to keep the
area clean and safe.
Mar 17, 2023
Springfield has done a good job keeping camping the associated criminal acts that come from it to a
minimum. Please keep a strong stance on this, we don't want to turn into Eugene.
Mar 17, 2023
This sounds like a temporary solution to a deeper problem of homelessness. Please consider looking into
additional resources to help.
Mar 17, 2023
1 have seen no benefit to any community for allowing this..
Mar 17, 2023
A city that won't provide shelter beds or other resources for people with nowhere to go should not only
allow camping but facilitate designated sites with bathrooms & other facilities.
Mar 17, 2023
I don't think they should be able to camp on our streets they should go to Eugene
Mar 17, 2023
No camping inside city limits. It has a huge negative impact on the surrounding areas
Mar 17, 2023
It's very important to keep our community clean and safe.
Mar 17, 2023
We need designated areas for campers away from busy streets, residential areas, businesses. Also we
need sanitary resources for the homeless.
Mar 17, 2023
Police need more presence if there are more homeless. With the addition of the huts on 42nd street we
are experiencing more theft, defacing of our property, cloths and personal items in our doorways. It's
nasty.
Mar 17, 2023
I don't approve by local business but in fields or off the hwys. But I think people should have access to
porta pottys and drinking water throughout the city. In different locations. And placed on a resource
map.
Mar 17, 2023
Designated areas for overnight and must be out by 6 am
Mar 17, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 50 of 54
like what commissioner Loveall has to say about it.
Mar 17, 2023
Please protect the tax paying citizen's property (ie neighborhoods), I want to feel safe walking to and
from my car in a parking lot. I want our parks to be safe for our kids to play. Please protect our wetlands.
Look at opening up something similar to the Eugene Mission.
Mar 17, 2023
City should simply open a campsite where primitive campsites are free and hookups for water, sewer
and electric is at a reasonable fee. Camp should have rules as for littering and behavior and such. Should
have bathrooms and showers and garbage service. Should also have patrols to enforce safety. I'm the
end would be cheaper than city crews cleaning up camps throughout the city.
Mar 17, 2023
Create a secure conestoga community where they self govern and the requirements to stay longer than
1-2 nights means no drugs or alcohol, along with keeping the site clean and free of garbage/human
waste.
Mar 17, 2023
Safety for our children and general society is my #1 concern. Eugene is mo longer safe to walk around or
let your kids ride bikes. I go all the way to Springfield to do my shopping because it's safer then Eugene.
PLEASE don't let the homeless ruin Springfield like they have in Eugene.
Mar 16, 2023
Our prior City counsel did a good job cleaning Springfield up and making it friendly to small business and
safe for families. I really hope that the new laws don't allow Springfield to become Eugene.
Mar 16, 2023
Enforce the codes, keep the city safe and clean. Keep the unhoused safe by *not* allowing large,
unregulated unhoused communities to form..
Mar 16, 2023
Please keep as far from residential areas and places of public business as possible.
Mar 16, 2023
The city should do everything it can to discourage camping in Springfield. This will lead to our city
continually going downhill.
Mar 16, 2023
We have to do something. These ondividuals are part of our community as well. We should be
concerned for them as well.
Mar 16, 2023
No camping downtown.
Mar 16, 2023
Offer spaces with assets for community engagement. Setting specific limits requires tempered
enforcement. Solutions first, trauma informed
Mar 16, 2023
Keep camping outside of city limits.
Mar 16, 2023
I hope you find a way to keep our city safe, our sidewalks clear, and our recreational areas usable
Mar 16, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 51 of 54
Keeping unhoused individuals away from camping in public areas should be a priority to the city. In
other places where camping is allowed there are huge costs to businesses including clean up and loss of
business as well as theft and vandalism. The camping ordinance should prohibit camping in
neighborhoods or near schools and parks as well. Homeowners and families, taxpayers, need to feel safe
in their neighborhoods and have access to the services they are paying for without having to deal with
the theft and mess done by "campers".
Mar 16, 2023
We need to find solutions for these people but for now garbage and clutter as well as sanitation is an
issue. We have an issue and they have to go somewhere I suppose.
Mar 16, 2023
Camp areas should be far away from residential and retail areas.
Mar 16, 2023
1 want to feel safe in my city and I feel like close to shelters and social services is the best location.
Definitely not on the biking trails.
Mar 16, 2023
Creating safe spaces for people to camp is necessary and
Mar 16, 2023
We don't need or want camping allowed in our city! It was one of the reason we moved here is so we
didn't have to deal with the homeless/ drug addictes
Mar 16, 2023
Na
Mar 16, 2023
Close to resources that help address the causes of homelessness
Mar 16, 2023
Camps should not be allowed in residential areas, near schools or parks.
Mar 16, 2023
Please keep our street parks and areas camper free
Mar 16, 2023
Keep camps away from residential areas
Mar 16, 2023
Would love to limit to only dusk/night like Bpm to Sam and they must pick up trash
Mar 16, 2023
Do not use this as an excuse to criminalize poverty even further and bolster the scandal -laden
Springfield Police Department. Homeless residents of Springfield are still Springfielders. Compassion
toward our neighbors must be our definition as a city.
Mar 16, 2023
Springfield feels clean and safe. We MUST do something drastically different than Eugene (because what
they are doing isn't working)
Mar 16, 2023
Do NOT allow our city to become the dumpster hole Eugene, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco have
allowed! If this HAS to be done it should be very limited, heavily restricted and rules FULLY enforced.
Attachment 4, Page 52 of 54
This should be structured to provide a hand up, no handouts. We have fought too hard and long to keep
Springfield clean and fre of the problematic issues that come from SOME who CHOOSE this lifestyle and
have little to no regard for others and their property/businesses
Mar 16, 2023
Allowing homelessness come into public property, entering down town, lingering by businesses,
camping by recreational areas including parks and trails will have a massive impact on our city and its
residence. Homeless communities has destroyed countless cities including Seattle and greater Seattle
area, Portland areas, and Eugene. To think any different will happen here is naive and lacks basic
forethought and logic .
Mar 16, 2023
I want to feel safe in out city and neighborhoods.
Mar 16, 2023
I am very concerned about any camping on our environmental areas (such as Dorris Ranch, the Middle
Fork trail, Thurston hills, Willamette Heights, Jasper Park Trailhead). I strongly feel camping on these
types of public land should not be allowed and highly monitored, as there is a huge fire risk in these
areas, safety concerns, and environmental concerns. They are much more isolated than the bike paths in
the City of Eugene and allowing camping there would be a public safety risk to users.
Mar 16, 2023
Let's hope the city makes the wise choice on placement away from schools and neighborhoods
Mar 16, 2023
Make camps out in the far north Gateway area by the OSP. That's close to hospitals, police, and basic
services, but not close to residential areas or schools. Campers should have to pick up after themselves.
If they litter, the one that's caught should have to clean it all up, or pay a fine.
Mar 16, 2023
Do not allow this at parks where children play and there are no bathrooms. This is going to go very
poorly and you will end up seeing clashes with neighbors, if we have to regulate this on our own.
Especially for parks in the UGB, who rely on County services and there aren't enough sheriffs to respond
on a normal day.
Mar 16, 2023
Public safety must be considered a priority. There must be monitoring of all campsites and people
cannot make these permanent living places.
Mar 16, 2023
Please don't turn us in to Eugene. Please protect our working families, the streets, businesses, and
communities we call home.
Mar 16, 2023
Any camping should be contained to designated camps, with security, paid for by the State.
Mar 16, 2023
1 live on a corner. We are constantly having to deal with overnight campers right outside my house. It's
not safe.
Mar 16, 2023
Providing a safe and easy way for unhoused to dispose of trash needs to be addressed.
Mar 16, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 53 of 54
I work in Eugene. I see the mess the unhoused leave. I have been approached by them in an agressive
manner. And I do not want Springfield to fall into the same trap that Eugene has. I have to pay a tax to
help with the cost of taking care of them. Will Springfield also start a special tax for this?
Mar 16, 2023
1 do not want Springfield to become a version of the Eugene homeless problem. If we build it they will
come
Mar 16, 2023
The real solution here is to provide shelter options for everyone who needs them, including safe, clean
camping areas. The focus should be on allowing camping in areas where that can be supported and on
how we will increase shelter beds and housing opportunity.
Mar 16, 2023
Camping should NOT be allowed on/in public recreation sites (ie. parks, trails, etc.) or near/in residential
neighborhoods, near schools, on sidewalks, at bus stops. Trash cans and porta potties should be
provided. It should also be 100% enforced. A code is useless if nobody makes people comply.
Mar 16, 2023
Attachment 4, Page 54 of 54
I k
a
q
rdinance,
resented=: City ty Attorney's Office
0 at
• The action requested for this item is
for the Council to conduct a public
hearing and first reading of the
camping code.
• Agenda:
• Adoption process
• Public comment
• Draft Code
Attachment 5, Page 2 of 7
A governmental entity cannot
criminalize conduct that is an
unavoidable consequence of being
homeless — namely sitting, lying, or
sleeping.
Attachment 5, Page 3 of 7
HB 3115 - Any city or county law that
regulates the act of sitting, lying,
sleeping or keeping warm and dry
outside on public property must be
"objectively reasonable" based on the
totality of the circumstances as
applied to all stakeholders including
persons experiencing homelessness.
Option 1.
Changes to Municipal Code Adopt draft code
require:
Option 2.
• Council adopts an ordinance Direct staff to make changes to draft
with new code by voting after code and come back for an
deliberation additional reading and deliberation
• Ordinances are read at two
public meetings Option 3.
Conduct an additional public
Attachment 5, Page 4of7 hearing and further deliberation
r ro-,,
Camp
establish ments/24-
hour time limit
Burning/warming
fires
Limit storage of
personal property
Attachment 5, Page 5 of 7
ROW - safety and
access
Flexibility to change
enforcement in an
emergency
Waterways/sensitive
areas
City Council public hearing
Emails to City Attorney's Office
Intentional reach out
Online survey
Paper survey at Ebbert
Attachment 5, Page 6 of 7
•Next — Public Hearing on new
code May 1, 2023
Attachment 5, Page 7 of 7